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The  life  of  the  Rev.  C.F. 
Swartz 


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Digitized  by  the  internet  Archive 
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https  ://arch  i ve . org/detai  ls/1  ifeof  revet  swartOOu  nse 


THE 


LIFE 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 

Fci^A YtcV-\  *^5c l\vu# 


MISSIONARY 


trichinopoly  and  tanjore, 

IN  INDIA. 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE 

AMERICAN  TRACT  SOCIETY, 


150  N ASS  AU-STREET,  NEW  YORK. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Page 

His  life  to  the  founding  of  the  church  at  Tan- 

JORE,  AND  HIS  MEDIATION  WITH  HyDER  ALLY,  1780 

Birth  and  early  life  in  Germany — Connection  with  Profes- 
sor Francke  at  the  Orphan  House,  in  Halle — Labors  in  the 
Mission  at  Tranquebar  and  Trichinopoly — native  con- 
verts— Sattianaden,  the  king  of  Tanjore — the  nabob  of 
Madras — Jesuits — a heathen  festival — abundant  labors 
and  success — letter  to  fatherless  children — erection  of  a 
church  at  Tanjore — requested  to  visit  the  Governor  and 
Council  at  Madras — Mediation  with  Hyder  Ally — Letter 
to  Col.  Wood,  ........  5 


CHAPTER  II. 

Thirteen  years’  labor  in  India,  to  his  narrative 

VINDICATING  THE  MISSION  TO  THE  SOCIETY  FOR  PRO- 
MOTING Christian  Knowledge,  1794 — War  and  fa- 
mine— his  admirable  character,  evangelical  principles,  and 
self-denying  labors — letters — success  of  Provincial  Schools, 
established  by  him  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Pohle  and  Kohloff — 
letter  to  a gentleman — Ordination  of  Mr.  KohlofTs  son — 


4 


CONTENTS. 


ihe  Rajah’s  adopted  son — the  people  emigrate  from  op- 
pression, but  under  the  influence  of  Sir  Archibald  Camp- 
bell, Mr.  Swartz  induces  them  to  return — converts  from 
the  higher  castes — letter  to  afflicted  friends,  . . 26 

CHAPTER  III. 

Close  of  his  fifty  years’  missionary  toils,  anl< 
his  triumphant  death — Views  of  the  marriage  of  mis- 
sionaries— maturing  for  heaven — fidelity  and  fruitfulness 
in  old  age — sickness — visit  of  Serfogee  Rajah — renewed 
and  last  sickness — visits  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Gericke,  Jte- 
nicke  and  Holtzberg — his  prayers,  praises,  and  triumphant 
death — funeral — his  last  days,  character,  and  labors — 
epitaph — Testimony  of  the  government  at  Madras — the 
Rev.  Dr.  Kerr’s  funeral  discourse,  ...  67 


THE  LIFE 


OF  THE 

REV,  C.  F.  SWARTZ, 


CHAPTER  1. 

His  Life,  to  the  founding  of  the  church  at  Tanjore  and  his 
mediation  with  Hyder  Ally. 

Christian  Frederick  Swartz  was  born  at  Son- 
nenburg,  in  Brandenburg,  in  Germany,  October 
20,  1726.  His  mother  died  at  an  early  period  of 
his  childhood : on  her  death-bed  she  declared 
that  she  had  devoted  her  son  to  the  Lord,  and 
exacted  a promise  from  her  husband  and  pas- 
tor, that  they  at  least  would  not  oppose  him, 
should  he  at  a future  period  evince  an  inclina- 
tion to  study  divinity. 

When  Swartz  was  eight  years  of  age  he  was 
sent  to  the  public  school  at  Sonnenburg : his 
tutor,  whose  name  was  Helm,  attended  to  the 
religious  instruction  of  his  pupils,  exhorted  them 


G 


LIFE  OF 


in  a fatherly  manner  to  the  duty  of  prayer,  and 
directed  them  to  express  their  desires  to  God  in 
their  own  words.  In  a memoir,  written  by  him- 
self, Swartz  declares  that  at  that  time  he  often 
sought  after  solitude,  and  found  much  comfort 
in  pouring  out  his  heart  to  God  ; and  when  he 
had  done  any  thing  wrong,  he  was  not  able  to 
rest  till  he  had  implored  pardon  of  God.  These 
impressions  afterward  partly  wore  off,  but  were 
never  entirely  effaced.  He  derived  much  benefit 
from  the  public  ordinances  of  the  sanctuary, 
and  from  the  instructions  and  the  books  he  re- 
ceived from  a Christian  lady.  Twice  he  was 
dangerously  ill,  and  then  formed  resolutions  to 
devote  himself  to  the  service  of  Ihe  Lord ; but 
he  afterward  forgot  the  fulfilment  of  his  resolu- 
tions, they  being  made  in  his  own  strength. 

In  1746  he  travelled  to  Halle,  where  he  lodg- 
ed at  the  Orphan  House,  and  diligently  availed 
himself  of  the  instructions  of  the  tutors  of  the 
university.  He  was  soon  appointed  to  the  in- 
struction of  youth,  and  also  received  the  ap- 
pointment to  hold  evening  prayer  with  the  farm 
servants  of  the  Orphan  House.  Both  these  em- 
ployments. were  followed  by  a blessing  to  his 
own  soul.  By  these  means,  by  conversation 
with  a pious  man  of  his  country,  and  by  the 
evening  prayers  at  the  Orphan  House,  he  was 
established  in  the  faith  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


7 


and  became  anxious  to  devote  his  body  and 
soul  to  the  service  of  his  Divine  Redeemer. 

At  that  time  preparations  were  making  to 
print  the  Bible  in  the  Tamul  language  at  Halle, 
and  Swartz  was  selected  to  learn  that  language. 
The  pains  he  took  induced  Professor  Francke  to 
propose  to  him  the  work  of  a missionary.  He 
obeyed  the  call,  although  some  days  afterward 
an  advantageous  situation  in  the  ministry  was 
offered  him.  He  obtained  his  father’s  consent, 
and,  under  the  sanction  of  the  Danish  Missioji 
College,  he  was  sent  to  India,  and  arrived  at 
Tranquebar  on  the  30th  of  July,  1750.  After 
laboring  zealously  with  his  colleagues  at  Tran- 
quebar for  some  years,  he  was  directed  by  the 
college  to  establish  himself  at  Trichinopoly,  un- 
der the  “Society  for  promoting  Christian  Know- 
ledge.” The  society  had  various  missionary 
stations  toward  the  southern  part  of  the  Indian 
peninsula  ; and,  in  1766  this  new  one  was  es- 
tablished at  Trichinopoly,  and  over  it  Mr.  Swartz 
was  appointed  to  preside. 

In  this  station  Mr.  Swartz  soon  found  his  la- 
bors so  extensive  that  it  became  necessary  to 
employ  some  promising  native  converts  as  cate- 
chists. Among  these,  who  were  eight  or  nine  in 
number,  Sattianaden  was  appointed  in  1772,  and 
was  afterward  admitted  to  holy  orders,  in  which 
he  labored  with  great  eloquence  and  success. 


8 


LIFE  OF 


His  name  signified  “ Professor  of  the  Truth.”  Be- 
fore his  conversion  he  was  of  the  highest  caste. 

In  the  year  1772  Mr.  Swartz  experienced  the 
signal  care  of  his  heavenly  father.  The  pow- 
der-magazine of  the  fort  blew  up,  and  killed 
and  shockingly  wounded  many  persons,  both 
Europeans  and  natives.  The  windows  of  his 
house  were  shattered,  and  several  balls  flew 
into  the  rooms,  hut  he  escaped  all  personal 
injury. 

His  heart  was  much  set  on  Tanjore.  He  vi- 
sited that  place  several  times  in  1772,  in  order 
to  strengthen  the  congregation,  and  to  try  whe- 
ther, by  frequently  preaching  the  word  in  that 
populous  city,  it  might  not  please  God  to  make 
some  impression  on  the  inhabitants.  With  this 
hope  he  took  with  him  three  of  his  catechists, 
who  went  among  the  people,  morning  and 
evening,  laying  before  them  the  glorious  truths 
of  the  Gospel,  and  inviting  them  to  the  obedi- 
ence of  faith. 

Mr.  Swartz  had  several  conversations  with 
Ihe  king  on  the  subject  of  religion.  The  king, 
understanding  that  he  was  explaining  the  doc- 
trines of  Christianity  to  his  officers,  desired  to 
hear  him  himself.  He  had  scarcely  opened  his 
lips  when  the  great  Brahmin  entered.  The  king 
prostrated  himself  before  him  to  the  ground, 
and  afterward  stood  before  him  with  his  hands 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


9 


folded,  while  the  Brahmin  placed  himself  on 
an  elevated  seat.  The  king  made  signs  to  Mr. 
Swartz  to  enter  into  discourse  with  the  Brahmin  ; 
who  heard  all  with  seeming  attention,  but  made 
no  reply.  The  king  asked  several  questions 
concerning  repentance,  and  desired  the  mis- 
sionary to  marry  a couple  of.  Christians  in  his 
palace.  He  readily  consented,  and  performed 
the  ceremony  with  as  much  solemnity  as  pos 
sible.  They  began  with  a hymn,  after  which 
Mr.  Swartz  preached,  concluding  with  prayer 
and  singing  ; all  in  the  Malabar  tongue.  The 
king  and  many  of  the  people  were  pleased,  but 
the  Brahmins  looked  on  it  as  a dangerous  in- 
novation. 

In  1773  Mr.  Swartz  repeats  his' expressions 
of  gratitude  for  the  Divine  goodness  toward  him 
and  his  fellow-laborers  in  their  preservation,  as 
an  epidemical  disease  was  then  raging  round 
them  at  Trichinopoly,  which  had  swept  off 
above  a thousand  persons  in  a fortnight. 

In  1774  Mr.  Swartz  went  to  Madras,  at  the 
desire  of  his  brethren,  to  procure  the  grant  of 
some  ground  at  Tanjore  for  the  erection  of  a 
place  -for  Divine  worship ; but  the  nabob  de- 
clined his  request.  His  friend,  Colonel  Wood, 
dying  this  year,  and  leaving  him  one  of  his 
executors,  this  circumstance  occasioned  a se- 
cond visit  to  Madras,  when  he  renewed  his  ap- 


10 


LIFE  OF 


plication  to  the  nabob,  but  met  with  another  re- 
fusal, accompanied,  however,  with  a profusion 
of  oriental  compliments. 

The  heathen  were  now  beginning  to  be  more 
inquisitive  into  Christianity,  and  this  animated 
him  much  in  his  preaching.  The  awakening, 
however,  of  some  of  the  Roman  Catholics  to  a 
sense  of  the  importance  of  religion,  gave  rise  to 
a spirit  of  persecution  which  occasioned  him 
much  trouble.  One  of  the  catechists  having 
visited  a sick  relative  of  his  own,  an  ignorant 
papist,  the  sick  man  entreated  his  instruction. 
The  catechist  explained  to  him  the  doctrines  of 
repentance  and  of  faith  in  Christ;  he  lent  a 
willing  ear,  and  soon  after  died.  The  catechist 
wished,  as  being  a near  relative,  to  attend  his 
funeral ; but  the  Roman  Catholics  disliking 
this,  and  the  popish  catechist  having  given  him 
a blow,  all  the  rest  fell  on  him,  and  beat  him  so 
unmercifully  that  the  very  heathens  cried  out 
against  them  as  murderers. 

Mr.  Swartz  found  indeed  the  Jesuits  to  be  the 
greatest  enemies  of  the  mission.  They  disco- 
vered their  enmity  in  stirring  up  the  poor  coun- 
try people  to  raise  disturbances.  He  met,  about 
this  period,  with  a very  mortifying  instance  of 
this  evil  influence.  In  a country  town  there 
appeared  a most  pleasing  prospect  of  a beauti- 
ful harvest,  the  greater  part  of  the  inhabitants 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


11 


having  shown  a willingness  to  be  instructed. 
In  Mr.  Swartz’s  absence,  however,  the  Roman 
Catholic  priest  threatened  his  people,  and  refus- 
ed to  marry  and  bury  any  of  his  congregation 
unless  they  would  enter  into  a covenant  to  ob- 
tain the  removal  of  the  protestant  missionary 
and  his  catechists.  He  told  the  heathens,  too, 
that  if  Mr.  Swartz  and  his  assistants  gained 
ground,  their  pagodas  would  fall  to  ruin  and 
their  feasts  cease.  The  catechists  met,  in  conse- 
quence, with  such  ill-treatment  that  they  were 
obliged  to  quit  the  place  ; and,  as  any  applica- 
tion to  the  magistrates  would  but  have  increas- 
ed the  evil,  Mr.  Swartz  chose  rather  to  bear  this 
persecution  patiently,  entreating  God  to  remedy 
the  evil  in  his  good  time. 

With  all  ranks  of  heathens  this  man  of  God 
was  accustomed  to  converse  freely.  Multitudes 
would  hear  him  explain  Christianity,  and  would 
even  applaud.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  with 
them  to  reply  : “ True  ! what  can  avail  all  our 
images,  and  our  numberless  ceremonies ! There 
is  but  one  Supreme  Being,  the  Maker  and  Pre- 
server of  all !”  But  their  convictions  ended  with 
their  applause ! 

“ In  one  of  my  journies,”  says  he,  “ I arrived 
at  a large  place  where  the  heathen  celebrated  a 
feast.  I was  struck  with  the  excessive  crowd 
which  I saw  before  me.  I stood  at  some  dis- 


12 


LIFE  OF 


tance  from  them  ; but  was  soon  surrounded  by 
a number  of  people,  to  whom  I explained  the 
glorious  perfections  of  God,  and  remarked  how 
absurd  the  worship  of  images  was ; and  how 
they  dishonored  God  by  all  their  idolatry,  and 
enhanced  their  own  misery.  I told  them,  at  the 
same  time,  what  infinite  mercy  God  had  shown 
to  lost  sinners  by  sending  them  a Redeemer, 
and  how  they  might  become  partakers  of  the 
benefits  of  redemption.  All  seemed  pleased ; 
acknowledged  their  folly,  and  the  excellency  of 
this  Christian  doctrine.  Before  and  after  noon, 
new  crowds  came  near.  I spoke  till  I was  quite 
exhausted.” 

These  labors  were  not  in  vain : many  of  the 
heathen  were  brought  to  embrace  the  truth. 

Among  these  converts  Mr.  Swartz  mentions 
one  in  particular — a young  man  of  the  higher 
caste,  who  deliberated  above  three  years  whe- 
ther he  should  embrace  Christianity.  His  nume- 
rous relatives  had  been  his  great  obstacle.  He 
had,  however,  yielded,  at  length,  to  his  convic- 
tions. The  heathen  shunned  and  reviled  him ; 
while  he  endured  their  persecution  with  humi- 
lity, yet  without  dejection.  His  countrymen  per- 
ceiving that  they  could  not  depress  his  spirits, 
acknowledged,  in  the  end,  the  wrong  which  they 
had  done  him,  and  even  entreated  him  to  read 
to  them  some  passages  of  the  New  Testament. 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


13 


In  a village  not  far  from  Mr.  Swartz’s  resi- 
dence a whole  family  had  been  converted.  On 
their  return  home  all  the  village  was  enraged 
against  them,  refusing  them  a share  in  the  most 
common  acts  of  kindness,  and  even  forbidding 
them  to  walk  in  the  public  road.  As  they  suf- 
fered all  this  persecution,  however,  with  humility 
and  with  some  degree  of  cheerful  boldness,  their 
heathen  neighbors  became  ashamed  of  their 
conduct  and  treated  them  with  more  humanity. 

In  another  village  also  a whole  family  had 
embraced  Christianity.  Their  son-in-law  was 
the  principal  man  in  the  village.  He  was  in- 
censed at  the  conversion  of  his  family,  and  di- 
rected his  father-in-law  to  return  no  more.  By 
gentle  representations,  however,  his  rage  and 
that  of  the  people  subsided ; and  Mr.  Swartz 
began  to  entertain  hopes  of  shortly  seeing  the 
whole  place  inhabited  by  Christians. 

Mr.  Swartz  took  unwearied  pains  with  his 
assistant  catechists.  They  were  all  employed 
daily  in  preaching  the  Gospel  over  the  various 
parts  of  the  country,  “ and  trying,”  to  use  his 
own  words,  “ whether  they  might  be  so  happy 
as  to  bring  some  of  their  wandering  fellow- 
creatures  into  the  way  of  truth.” 

What  an  abode  was  the  house  of  this  great 
and  good  man!  He  daily  assembled  all  the 
catechists  who  were  not  on  stations  too  far  dis- 


14 


LIFE  OF 


tant,  and  instructed  them  how  to  explain  the 
truths  of  Christianity,  and  to  address  the  na- 
tives in  a mild  and  winning  manner,  overlook- 
ing the  passionate  and  rough  speeches  which 
would  sometimes  be  returned  for  their  love.  In 
the  morning  the  catechists  joined  with  him  in 
prayer,  and  in  meditating  on  the  word  of  God ; 
after  which  every  one  was  directed  whither  to 
go  that  day.  In  the  evening  they  gave  an  ac- 
count of  their  labors,  relating  the  encouraging 
and  discouraging  circumstances : and  the  day 
closed,  as  it  began,  with  meditation  and  prayer. 

His  ministry  was,  in  various  instances,  suc- 
cessful among  the  soldiers  in  garrison,  to  whom 
he  acted  as  chaplain. 

Poor  widows  also  came  in  for  a share  of  the 
attention  of  this  benevolent  man.  A sum  of 
money  having  been  sent  to  him  for  their  be- 
nefit, he  resolved  to  expend  it  in  the  erection  of 
comfortable  tenements,  but  the  design  was 
brought  to  a stand  for  want  of  further  funds. 
The  young  rajah  of  Tanjore,  however,  visiting 
that  part  of  the  country,  Mr.  Swartz  pleaded 
with  him  in  behalf  of  the  widows ; and,  suc- 
ceeding in  his  application,  completed  a row  of 
small  houses  for  the  comfortable  reception  of 
these  destitute  women. 

Anxious  to  extend  the  sphere  of  his  labors, 
he  prayed  earnestly  for  more  assistance  in  the 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  15 

mission,  that  he  might  be  enabled  to  reside  some 
months  every  year  at  Tanjore ; and,  if  it  should 
be  found  expedient,  establish  himself  there. 

His  exertions  were  not  confined  to  the  in- 
struction and  conversion  of  the  adult  natives 
and  Europeans  ; but,  with  equal  zeal  and  fide- 
lity, he  labored  for  the  salvation  of  the  Europe- 
ans, both  civil  and  military,  who  resided  at  any 
time  within  reach  of  his  Christian  charity.  He 
opened  English  and  Malabar  schools  in  various 
places,  and  was  affectionate  and  unwearied  in 
his  attention  to  children. 

Of  this  part  of  his  character  the  following 
letter  is  an  interesting  illustration.  It  was  writ- 
ten to  the  children  of  Colonel  Wood,  then  left 
fatherless  : they  were  from  six  to  eleven  years 
of  age. 

“ To  the  dear  children  

“ Grace,  mercy  and  peace  from 

God  our  father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

“Dear  Children — As  the  time  is  very  near 
when  you,  as  I suppose,  will  leave  this  country, 
I thought  it  my  duty  to  write  you  a short  ex- 
hortation, which  you  are  so  willing  to  receive 
from  me,  your  old  friend. 

“When  you  leave  this  country  I beseech 
you  take  none  of  the  sins  which  are  so  manifest 
here,  with  you.  Beg  of  your  Redeemer  to  for- 


16 


LIFE  OF 


give  you  all  sins,  and  to  grant  you  the  help  of 
his  Holy  Spirit,  to  love,  fear,  honor  and  obey 
God.  Learn  the  will  of  God,  and  practise  it 
daily,  as  you  have  given  us  some  pleasing 
ground  for  hope.  As  your  age  is  not  easily 
given  to  grief,  make  use  of  your  innocent  cheer- 
fulness to  gladden  the  heart  of  your  mamma. 
You  cannot  please  her  better  than  by  obedi- 
ence, and  willingness  to  learn  to  pray,  and  to 
fear  God.  Endeavor  to  please  her  and  your 
heavenly  Father  by  all  this.  Read  every  day 
your  beloved  Bible : pray  heartily,  and  forget 
not  to  sing  a song  of  praise  to  your  Redeemer. 
Whenever  your  dear  mamma  forbids  you  a 
thing,  be  ready  to  obey  : never  give  way  to  any 
stubbornness ; and  as  you  know  that  God  is 
highly  pleased  with  humility,  learn  to  be  hum- 
ble ; entreating  your  Savior  to  destroy  all  the 
seeds  of  pride,  and  to  clothe  you  with  humility. 
May  the  blessing  of  God  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you.  Amen. 

“ Remember  me,  and  pray  for  me,  that  I may 
walk  worthy  of  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ; and  that,  by  my  poor  ministry,  many 
souls  may  be  truly  converted  to  him. 

I remain,  sincerely,  dear  children,  and  my  young 
friends,  your  affectionate  friend  and  humble  servant, 

“C.  F.  Swartz. 

“ Trickmopoly,  January  16,  1775.” 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


17 


He  was  joined  in  the  work  of  the  Mission  in 
1777  by  the  Rev.  Christian  Pohle,  whom  the 
Danish  Missionaries  at  Tranquebar  sent  to  his 
assistance  ; — a man  of  piety,  zeal,  and  talents ; 
who  fulfilled,  in  the  service  of  the  “ Society  for 
promoting  Christian  Knowledge,”  as  the  suc- 
cessor of  his  venerable  friend,  the  expectations 
which  Mr.  Swartz  had  formed  of  him.  He  soon 
made  himself  master,  by  diligent  application, 
of  the  English  and  Malabar  languages,  suffi- 
ciently to  minister  with  acceptance  in  both 
tongues,  and  took  a very  active  part  in  assist- 
ing Mr.  Swartz  in  the  whole  business  of  the 
ministry  and  the  schools. 

June  the  16th  of  this  year,  the  Rev.  J.  J. 
Schoelkopf  arrived  at  Madras,  being  sent  out  by 
the  Society  to  assist  Mr.  Swartz.  It  pleased  God, 
however,  to  remove  him  before  he  could  enter 
on  his  labors.  He  was,  almost  immediately  on 
his  landing,  violently  seized  with  a dysentery, 
and  died  at  Madras  on  the  11th  of  July.  “ My 
grief,”  says  Mr.  Swartz,  “was  great;  but,  well 
knowing  that  all  the  ways  of  a holy  God  are 
good,  I resigned  my  will  to  his  wise  providence. 
He  is  the  Lord  of  his  Church.  May  He  have 
mercy  upon  us,  and  send  faithful  laborers  into 
his  vineyard !” 

Mr.  Swartz  writes,  in  1779,  that  among  the 
heathen,  at  his  two  stations  at  Trichinopoly  and 

Swartz.  0 


18 


LIFE  OF 


Tanjore,  are  many  thousands,  even  amongst 
Brahmins,  who  confess  that  their  idolatry  is  a 
vain  and  sinful  thing,  and  that  nothing  but  fear 
keeps  them  at  present  from  embracing  the  Chris- 
tian religion.  It  is  to  be  hoped  this  conviction 
will  embolden  them  one  day  or  other  to  shake 
off  that  inglorious  servitude  of  sin  and  Satan. 
He  says  that  there  hardly  passes  a day  in  which 
Brahmins  do  not  visit  his  house  at  Tanjore ; 
that  they  hear  attentively  what  is  said  to  them  ; 
that  they  frequently  take  up  a book  in  which 
the  doctrine  of  the  Christian  religion  is  explain- 
ed, and  that  they  praise  that  doctrine  as  a Di- 
vine one. 

A Brahmin  being  asked  what  he  would  now 
resolve  upon,  whether  he  purposed  to  stifle  all 
conviction,  or  whether  he  intended  to  receive 
that  Divine  doctrine  and  to  profess  it,  replied, 
that  he  could  not  deny  the  conviction  which  he 
had  received,  and  accordingly  had  sounded 
some  of  his  acquaintance,  but  that  they  all  in- 
sisted upon  the  task  as  too  difficult  and  dange- 
rous, on  account  of  the  great  numbers  of  the 
professors  of  idolatry. 

For  my  part,  says  Mr.  Swartz,  I entertain  a 
cheerful  hope  of  seeing  better  days,  and  there- 
fore rejoice  in  the  present  opportunity  of  preach- 
ing the  salutary  doctrine  of  Christ,  frequently 
calling  to  my  mind  that  there  is  a time  of  sow- 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


19 


ing  preceding  that  of  reaping.  At  Trichinopoly 
we  begin  and  end  the  day  with  public  prayer. 
At  Tanjore  I have  introduced  the  same  custom. 
Very  often  Brahmins  and  other  heathens  have 
been  present,  observing  our  reading  the  word 
of  God,  our  singing  and  praying.  I never  dis- 
courage the  heathen  from  being  present  at  any 
of  our  solemn  acts  of  worship. 

In  1779  the  garrison  at  Tanjore  being  nume- 
rous, Mr.  Swartz  addressed  a letter  to  the  Go- 
vernor and  Council  at  Madras,  and  obtained 
immediately  their  public  sanction  and  contribu- 
tions to  the  erection  of  a church,  in  which  Di- 
vine service  might  be  performed  in  a proper  and 
becoming  manner.  The  first  stone  of  this  edi  - 
fice was  laid  by  General  Munro.  The  funds 
failing,  Mr.  Swartz  addressed  the  Honorable 
Board  at  Madras  for  further  aid.  He  was  de- 
sired, in  reply,  to  come  with  all  possible  speed 
to  Madras.  The  object  of  this  summons  will  be 
best  explained  in  his  own  simple  and  impres- 
sive narration. 

“At  my  arrival  Governor  Rumbold  told  me 
that  my  request  should  be  granted : the  othei 
gentlemen  assured  me  of  the  same.  Here  I was 
acquainted  with  the  purpose  for  which  I was 
called  before  the  Presidency.  The  Governor 
told  me  that  they  wished  to  preserve  peace  with 


20 


LIFE  OF 


Hydei  Ally ; but,  as  he  entertained  some  mis- 
taken notions,  and  evil  persons  endeavored  to 
confirm  him  in  those  bad  ideas,  the  Honorable 
Board  desired  I would  take  a journey  to  Serin- 
gapatam  in  a private  manner,  and  undeceive 
him  by  a fair  declaration  of  their  pacific  senti- 
ments ; particularly  as  I,  from  my  knowledge 
of  the  Moorish  language,  could  converse  with 
him  without  the  help  of  an  interpreter.  The 
novelty  of  the  proposal  surprised  me  at  first ; 
for  which  reason  I begged  some  time  to  con- 
sider it.  At  last  I accepted  of  the  offer,  because, 
by  doing  so,  I hoped  to  prevent  evil,  and  to  pro- 
mote the  welfare  of  the  country.  I thought  also 
that  I could  thereby  give  some  small  proof  of 
the  gratitude  which  I owe  to  the  Honorable 
Board  for  many  favors  which  they  have  bestow- 
ed on  me  during  my  residence  at  Trichinopo- 
ly.  Besides,  I saw  that  I should  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  conversing  with  many  people  about 
the  things  of  God,  who  perhaps  never  had  heard 
a word  concerning  God  and  a Redeemer. 

“ I spent  three  months  in  Hyder  Ally  Khan’s 
country.  I found  Englishmen  there,  Germans, 
Portuguese,  and  even  some  of  the  Malabar  peo- 
ple whom  I had  instructed  at  Trichinopoly. 
To  find  them  in  that  country  was  painful ; but, 
to  renew  some  part  of  the  instruction  which 
they  formerly  received,  was  very  comfortable. 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


21 


A tent  was  pitched  on  the  glacis  of  the  fort, 
wherein  Divine  service  was  performed  without 
the  least  impediment. 

“ Hyder  Ally  gave  a plain  answer  to  all  the 
questions  I was  ordered  to  put  to  him ; so  that 
the  Honorable  Board  at  Madras  received  the  in- 
formation they  desired. 

“ Being  told  that  the  Governor,  Sir  Thomas 
Rumbold,  intended  to  procure  me  a present  from 
the  Board,  I begged  leave  to  decline  accepting 
any ; declaring,  that  if  my  journey  had  been 
any  way  beneficial  to  the  public,  I rejoiced  at 
the  opportunity.  I signified,  at  the  same  time, 
that  it  would  make  me  very  happy  if  the  Ho- 
norable Board  would  allow  to  my  colleague  at 
Trichinopoly  the  same  yearly  present  that  they 
had  given  to  me ; being  convinced  that  he  would 
use  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  school,  and  the  main- 
tenance of  some  catechists.  This  my  request 
was  granted : Mr.  Pohle  receives,  at  Trichino- 
poly, yearly,  a hundred  pounds  sterling,  as  I do 
here  at  Tanjore ; by  which  means  we  are  ena- 
bled to  maintain,  in  both  places,  schoolmasters 
and  catechists. 

“ One  circumstance  relative  to  my  journey  I 
beg  liberty  to  add.  When  I took  my  leave  of 
Hyder  Ally,  he  presented  me  with  a bag  of  ru- 
pees for  the  expense  of  my  journey : but,  having 
been  furnished  with  necessaries  by  the  Honor- 


22 


LIFE  OF 


able  Board,  I delivered  the  bag  to  them.  As 
they  urged  me  to  take  it,  I desired  their  permis- 
sion to  appoint  this  sum,  as  the  first  fund  for 
an  English  charity-school  at  Tanjore,  hoping 
that  some  charitable  people  would  increase  that 
small  fimd,  consisting  of  three  hundred  rupees.” 

Such  noble  conduct  compelled  those  who 
knew  not  the  value  of  the  principles  which  ac- 
tuated him,  to  admire  his  character. 

While  Mr.  Swartz  was  thus  acting  as  the 
great  and  disinterested  friend  of  his  adopted 
country  and  of  mankind,  he  forgot  not  his  pri- 
vate attachments.  He  addressed,  about  this 
time,  the  following  affectionate  and  faithful  let- 
ter to  the  son  of  his  former  friend,  Col.  Wood. 

“ Tanjore,  Sept.  22,  1780. 

“ Dear  John — I have  received  your  kind  let- 
ter, and  rejoiced  that  the  son  of  my  much-es- 
teemed friend,  who  is  now  in  eternity,  goes  on 
learning  such  things  as  will  make  him  useful 
in  society.  You  learn  Latin,  geography,  arith- 
metic, French,  drawing ; all  which  may  be  veiy 
serviceable  to  you,  and  beneficial  to  your  fellow- 
creatures.  I entreat  you,  therefore,  to  be  very 
diligent,  and  to  spend  your  time  in  the  best  man- 
ner. I remember  that  when  I learnt  vocal  mu- 
sic in  my  younger  days,  I did  not  think  that  I 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


23 


should  use  it  much.  And  behold,  now,  every 
morning  and  evening,  when  the  Malabar  chil- 
dren come  to  prayer,  I teach  them  to  sing  in 
praise  of  their  Redeemer.  Every  week  they 
learn  one  hymn ; for  they  are  slow.  Now  I am 
well  pleased  that  I was  instructed  in  vocal  mu- 
sic. All  things  may  become  useful  to  us  and 
others. 

“ But  then,  my  dear  friend,  our  intention,  our 
desires  must  be  well  managed;  or,  in  other 
words,  our  hearts  must  be  truly  minded.  As 
you  have  spent  many  months  and  years  in 
learning  useful  things,  let  your  heart  now  be 
given  over  to  your  God  ; otherwise  your  learn- 
ing will  not  prove  beneficial ; nay,  which  is  de- 
plorable, it  may  be  used  to  your  detriment. 

“As  you  are  so  well  pleased,  I beseech  you, 
by  the  mercy  of  God,  my  dear  John,  to  mind 
now  the  best,  the  one  needful  thing.  Examine 
your  heart ; and  whatever  you  find  in  it  that  is 
not  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God  (and  you  will 
find  much  of  that  sort)  acknowledge  it ; bewail 
it  before  your  God : entreat  him  to  wash  and 
cleanse  you  from  all  your  sins.  Rest  not  till  you 
find  rest  to  your  soul. 

“ Having  obtained  pardon  and  peace  through 
Jesus,  watch  and  pray  that  you  may  not  lose 
what  you  have  gained  ; but  that  you  may  rather 
grow  daily  in  faith,  love,  and  hope. 


24 


LIFE  OF 


“ In  your  conversation  with  young  people  be 
very  cautious.  Their  thoughts  and  speeches 
are  often  too  frothy  ; ay,  and  even  dangerous. 
Above  all,  try  to  gain  strength,  Divine  strength, 
to  overcome  that  sinful  bashfulness,  whereby 
many  people  are  ashamed  to  confess  or  practice 
what  they  approve  in  their  hearts.  If  you  read 
your  Bible,  and  pray  heartily  to  God,  you  will 
get  strength  every  day  to  go  on  and  prosper  in 
his  way. 

“ Our  time  is  but  short.  Eternity,  awful  eter- 
nity, is  at  hand  : let  us,  therefore,  not  trifle  away 
our  time  ; but  let  us  seek  the  Lord  and  his  grace, 
his  blessing  and  his  strength. 

“As  you,  my  dear  John,  are  blessed  with  a 
pious  mother,  who  is  unspeakably  desirous  of 
promoting  your  welfare,  I hope  you  will  take 
all  possible  care  to  comfort  and  rejoice  her  heart 
by  your  humble  obedience  and  grateful  be- 
havior. 

“ Though  I never  have  seen  your  schoolmas- 
ter, it  is  enough  to  induce  me  to  revere  him, 
that  we  hear  he  is  a faithful  servant  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  May  God  bless  him,  and  all 
that  is  under  his  care  ! so  wishes 
“Your  affectionate  friend, 

“ C.  F.  Savartz.” 

Mr.  Swartz  paid  great  attention  to  the  due 


REV.  a.  P.  SWARTZ. 


25 


celebration  of  Divine  worship.  The  church  at 
Trichinopoly  was  ninety  feet  by  fifty,  and  the 
new  one  at  Tanjore  was  built  on  the  same 
scale.  Beside  the  church  at  Trichinopoly,  which 
was  occupied  chiefly  by  the  garrison  and  Eu 
ropeans,  the  Malabar  congregation  used  to  as- 
semble in  the  large  fort,  where  Major  Stephens, 
a worthy  friend  of  Mr.  Swartz,  who  was  killed 
at  the  siege  of  Pondicherry,  prepared  a very 
convenient  place  for  their  worship.  But  the  spot 
on  which  he  built  belonged  to  a Brahmin  fami- 
ly, which  Major  Stevens  endeavored  to  disco- 
ver, that  he  might  secure  a right  to  it,  but  in 
vain.  The  family,  however,  returned  at  length 
to  the  fort ; and,  refusing  to  sell  the  spot,  “ we 
were  in  conscience  obliged,”  says  Mr.  Swartz, 
“ to  let  them  possess  their  own  property.”  He 
soon  procured  a gift  from  the  rajah  of  a more 
convenient  situation ; and,  with  the  aid  of  his 
friends,  raised  a suitable  place  of  worship  for  his 
Malabar  congregation  : it  lay  on  a rising  ground 
about  a mile  from  the  fort ; the  inhabitants 
lived  around  it.  All  circumstances  concurred  to 
render  this  house  of  prayer  convenient : the 
situation  was  healthy,  and  it  was  remote  from 
noise.  “Blessed  be  God,”  exclaims  Mr.  Swartz, 
“ that  we  are  so  agreeably  placed  ! May  he  gra- 
ciouAy  vouchsafe  his  blessing,  that  many  thou- 
sands of  the  poor  heathen  may  hear,  embrace, 


2G 


LIFE  OF 


and  practise  the  truth  preached  in  the  midst  of 
their  habitations !” 


CHAPTER  II. 


Thirteen  years'  labor  in  India,  to  his  narrative  vindi- 
cating the  mission  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Chris- 
tian Knowledge. 

The  years  1781,  1782,  and  1783,  were  years 
of  famine  and  of  complicated  distress  and  mi- 
sery. War  raged  in  the  peninsula,  and  was  at- 
tended and  followed  by  such  devastation  and 
ruin  that  all  former  wars  seemed  trifling  in 
comparison.  Some  little  interval  occurred,  but 
the  famine  soon  returned. 

In  September,  1783,  Mr.  Swartz  writes  : — 
“ The  last  three  years  have  been  years  of  sor- 
row and  anxiety.  Yet  we  have  no  reason  at  all 
to  murmur,  or  to  find  fault  Avith  God’s  ways, 
which  are  ever  just  and  equal ; and  the  judg- 
ments which  have  befallen  us  may,  perhaps,  be 
more  conducive  to  the  true  Avelfare  of  the  coun- 
try than  we  conceive.  This  year  God’s  fatherly 
goodness  has  preserved  and  strengthened  us  for 
his  service.” 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


27 


His  congregations  greatly  increased  at  these 
times  ; many  being  compelled,  he  feared,  by  the 
famine,  to  come  to  him  for  aid. 

“Yet,”  says  he,  “ I have  given  them  the  ne- 
cessary instruction,  and  this  for  the  space  of  se- 
veral months,  during  which  I have  also  procur- 
ed them  some  provision,  though  not  quite  suffi- 
cient for  their  wants,  for  that  was  beyond  my 
power.  The  teaching  of  them  was  attended 
with  much  difficulty  and  fatigue,  on  account  of 
the  great  decay  of  their  mental  powers : yet  1 
could  not  persuade  myself  that  it  would  be  con- 
sistent with  the  will  of  God  to  abandon  these 
poor  people,  many  of  whom  afterward  died. 

“ The  famine  was  so  great,  and  of  such  long 
continuance,  that  those  have  been  affected  by  it 
who  seemed  to  be  beyond  its  reach.  A vigorous 
and  strong  man  is  scarcely  to  be  met  with.  In 
outward  appearance  men  are  like  walking  ske- 
letons.” 

Apprehensive  of  the  renewal  of  war,  Mr. 
Swartz  bought  a quantity  of  rice  while  the 
price  was  moderate,  and  God  inclined  the  heart 
of  some  Europeans  to  send  him  a portion  month- 
ly. With  this  food  he  preserved  numbers  from 
actually  perishing,  who  were  lying  about  in  the 
open  roads. 

His  own  feelings,  in  respect  to  these  trying  dis- 
pensations, are  expressed  in  the  following  letter. 


“ Tanjore,  March  4,  1784. 

“Dear  Sir, — Hitherto  a gracious  God  has 
preserved,  guided  and  comforted  us.  This  ought 
to  be  our  first  consideration  in  the  midst  of  all 
the  calamities  which  we  have  experienced. 
How  many  dangers  have  we  escaped ! How 
many  of  our  fellow-creatures  fell  on  our  right 
hand  and  on  our  left ! But  God  has  hid  us  un- 
der the  pavilion  of  his  kind  providence.  The 
103d  Psalm  should  he  precious  to  us,  for  it  ex- 
presses and  magnifies  all  the  divine  benefits 
which  God  has  so  richly  bestowed  upon  us. 
But  not  only  in  words  ought  we  to  express  our 
gratitude,  but  in  and  by  our  lives.  Surely  God 
deserves  to  be  obeyed  by  us,  particularly  as  we 
only  reap  the  benefit  of  it : our  goodness  ex- 
tcndetli  not  to  him  ! 

“ I heartily  wish  to  see  you  ; and  I entertain- 
ed a lively  hope,  that,  in  my  return  from  the 
Mysore  country  I should  meet  you ; but  God 
has  been  pleased  to  lead  me  by  another  road. 
You  know  that  I was  desired  to  go  to  Seringa- 
patarn  to  join  the  Commissioners.  I accepted 
the  offer ; but  I was  stopped  and  detained  ele- 
ven days.  I wrote  to  Tippoo,  requesting  that 
he  would  permit  me  to  proceed ; but  I got  no 
answer.  The  killadar  was  ordered  to  let  me 
go  back  ; so  I was  conducted  by  thirty  horses 
back  to  Daraburm,  where  our  people  were.  To 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


29 


this  day  I know  not  the  true  reason  why  I was 
not  permitted  to  proceed.  One  said  it  was  be- 
cause Tippoo  would  not  treat  till  Mangalore 
was  in  his  possession.  Others  entertained  other 
conjectures.  I thank  God  for  his  mercy  and 
providence  over  me.  I should  have  been  glad 
if  I could  have  been  an  instrument  in  that 
great  work  of  peace-making : but  who  knows 
but  there  might  have  been  temptations  too  great 
for  me  7 I entreat  God  to  bless  our  commission- 
ers with  wisdom,  resolution,  and  integrity,  to 
settle  the  business  for  the  welfare  of  this  poor 
country.  But,  alas,  we  ourselves  are  so  divided ; 
so  much  wickedness  and  forgetfulness  of  God 
every  where  prevail ! When  I consider  all,  high 
and  low,  rulers  and  ruled,  I am  struck  with 
grief  and  a variety  of  passions.  What  blind- 
ness, insensibility,  obstinacy,  greediness  and  ra- 
paciousness ! A thousand  times  I think  with 
myself,  “ Oh,  my  God ! must  all  these  people 
die?  Must  they  all  appear  before  the  tribunal  of 
Jesus,  the  Mediator  and  Judge  7 How  little  do 
they  mind  their  end,  and  the  consequences  of 
their  lives !” 

“ My  sincere  wish  and  prayer  is,  that  you 
and  I may  be  found  true  disciples  of  Jesus;  and 
so,  at  last,  rejoice  with  him  eternally. 

“ I am  your  sincere  friend, 

“C.  F.  Swartz.” 


30 


LIFE  OF 


In  April,  1784,  he  writes  : We  adore  the  Di- 
vine goodness,  which  has  preserved  my  fellow- 
laborers  and  me  in  the  midst  of  calamities. 
While  the  sword,  famine,  and  epidemic  sick- 
ness swept  away  many  thousands,  we  have 
enjoyed  health,  and  have  been  accommodat- 
ed with  all  necessaries.  May  we  never  forget 
the  various  mercies  which  God  has  bestowed 
on  us !” 

The  fort  of  Trichinopoly  afforded  an  asylum 
to  many  of  the  surrounding  inhabitants,  who 
tied  thither  to  escape  the  unrelenting  cruelty  of 
the  enemy.  Daily  did  Mr.  Swrartz  labor  with 
these  people  to  turn  them  from  idolatry  to  the 
living  God. 

“ It  were  to  be  wished”  he  says  “ that  the 
country  people,  having  suffered  for  many  years 
all  manner  of  calamity,  would  consider  the 
things  which  belong  to  their  eternal  welfare,  foi 
which  my  assistants  pray  and  labor  in  con 
junction  with  me.  They  readily  own  the  supe- 
rior excellence  of  the  Christian  doctrine  ; but 
remain  in  their  deplorable  errors  for  various  fri- 
volous reasons.  Still  I am  happy  in  being  made 
an  instrument  of  Providence  to  instruct  some 
and  to  warn  others.  Who  knows  but  there  may 
come  a time  when  others  may  reap  what  we 
have  been  sowing?” 

The  personal  piety,  sound  discrimination,  and 


HE V.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


31 


disinterested  zeal,  discovered  in  the  two  follow- 
ing letters  of  Mr.  Swartz,  are  admirable  ! 

“ Tanjore,  July  10,  1784. 

41  My  dear  Friends, — I have  been  prevent- 
ed, by  illness,  from  having  the  pleasure  of  ad- 
dressing you  sooner.  I can  hardly  describe  to 
you  the  nature  of  my  weakness.  I felt  no  pain, 
but  such  a relaxation  in  my  frame,  that  speak- 
ing, walking,  &c.  fatigued  me  greatly.  This  1 
felt  during  April  and  May.  When  we  were  fa- 
vored with  some  refreshing  showers  I felt  my- 
self a little  better.  I could  not  write  before,  be- 
cause my  hand  shook  so  that  I could  not  use 
my  pen.  But  enough  of  this  ! Age  comes  upon 
me : therefore  I have  no  reason  to  wonder  at 
weakness.  If  the  mind  be  sound,  all  is  well ; 
the  rest  we  shall  quit  when  we  enter  into  the 
grave.  That  will  cure  all  our  indispositions.  On 
this  subject  I meditate  frequently.  And,  oh,  may 
God  grant  me  grace  to  do  it  more  effectually, 
that  I may  number  my  (perhaps  very  few)  days. 
Eternity  is  an  awful  subject,  which  should  be 
continually  in  our  mind. 

I know,  I feel,  that  I have  no  righteousness 
of  my  own  whereon  I would  dare  to  depend  for 
eternal  happiness.  If  God  should  enter  into 
judgment  with  me,  what  would  become  of  me? 
But  blessed,  for  ever  blessed,  be  the  adorabk 


32 


LIFE  OF 


mercy  of  God,  which  has  provided  a sure  place 
of  refuge  for  guilty  man ! The  atonement  of 
Jesus  Christ  is  the  foundation  of  my  hope, 
peace,  life,  and  happiness.  Though  I am  co- 
vered all  over  with  sin,  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
cleanseth  me  from  all  mine  iniquities,  and  sets 
my  heart  at  rest.  Though  I am  a blind,  cor- 
rupted creature,  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  enlighteneth, 
cheereth,  and  strengtheneth  us  to  abominate  all 
sin,  and  to  renounce  the  lusts  of  the  world  and 
the  flesh.  Though  the  day  of  judgment  is  ap- 
proaching, the  love  of  God  comforts  us  so  far 
as  to  have  boldness  to  appear  before  our  Judge ; 
not  as  if  we  were  innocent  creatures,  but  be- 
cause we  are  pardoned,  washed,  and  cleansed 
in  the  blood  of  Christ.  Oh ! my  dear  friends, 
an  interest  in  the  atonement  of  Christ,  and 
a participation  in  the  graces  of  the  Spirit — 
these  constitute  a Christian !— these  cheer  and 
strengthen  the  heart ! — these  glorify  God  ! — 
these  entitle  and  qualify  us  for  heaven  ! Let  us 
daily,  therefore,  come  before  God  through  the 
blessed  Jesus.  But  let  us,  at  the  same  time,  not 
neglect  the  second  point,  namely,  our  sanctifi- 
cation. Our  time  is  short.  1 have  sojourned 
in  this  country  almost  thirty-four  years.  The 
end  of  my  journey  is,  eveir  according  to  the 
course  of  nature,  near.  May  I not  flag  ! May  my 
last  days  be  my  best ! — Farewell ! May  grace, 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


33 


peace,  and  Divine  mercy,  follow  yon  at  all  times. 

“ I am,  my  dear  friends, 

“Your  affectionate  friend  and  servant, 
“ C.  F.  Swartz.” 

“ Tanjore,  Dec.  30,  1784. 

“Dear  Friends, — At  present  I am  so  far 
established  in  health  that  my  labor  is  rather 
delightful  than  troublesome,  which  was  not  the 
case  in  April  and  May.  May  God,  who  has  be- 
stowed so  many  blessings  on  me,  a poor  sinner, 
grant  that  the  last  days  of  my  life  may  be  well 
spent ; that  I may  finish  my  course  with  peace, 
if  not  with  joy  ! 

“We  are  not  only  allowed,  indeed,  but  we 
are  commanded,  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  No  joy 
has  so  good  and  firm  a foundation  as  that  which 
is  to  he  found  in  the  Lord,  who  has  bought  us, 
and  with  whom  we  are  blessed  with  all  spiritual 
blessings.  But  whoever  wishes  to  rejoice  in  the 
blessings  purchased  for  us  by  Jesus  Christ,  must 
be  in  him,  intimately  united  to  him  by  faith,  re- 
nouncing sin  and  all  the  false  pleasures  of  die 
world.  This  true  union  and  communion  with 
Christ  is  the  source  of  joy,  the  only  source. 
Hence  will  follow  a willingness  to  love,  obey, 
and  glorify  him  as  long  as  we  live.  But  if,  in- 
stead of  trusting  in  Christ  and  in  his  consum- 
mate atonement,  we  rely  on  our  own  virtue, 

Swartz.  g 


34 


LIFE  OF 


and  consequently  try  to  stand  upon  our  own 
foundation,  we  shall  never  enjoy  one  moment’s 
peace  of  mind.  Our  virtue  and  holiness  are 
and  ever  will  be  imperfect ; we  shall,  therefore, 
always  have  reason  to  confess  before  God,  “ If 
thou,  Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniquities,  O Lord, 
who  shall  stand  before  thee  ?”  Let  us,  there- 
fore, seek  for  pardon,  peace,  and  joy  in  Jesus ; 
and,  having  found  them,  let  us  be  grateful  and 
obedient.  But,  though  we  should  be  as  holy  as 
any  of  the  apostles,  let  us  beware  lest  we  put 
our  confidence  in  any  thing  except  the  sulfer- 
ings  and  atoning  death  of  Jesus  Christ. 

“In  this  fundamental  article  of  true  Christi- 
anity I like  none  more  than  good  Bishop  Beve- 
ridge. He  forgets  not  to  raise  the  superstruc- 
ture of  a holy  life ; but  he  lays  first  the  foun- 
dation, in  a true  and  lively  trust  in  Christ,  after 
the  example  of  Paul : read  Philippians,  chap.  3. 
In  the  explanation  of  holiness,  Archbishop  Til- 
lotson  is  excellent ; but  he  does  not  so  well,  so 
clearly  establish  the  foundations,  as  Beveridge  ; 
and,  more  particularly,  as  the  first  reformers. 

“As  to  the  Malabar  church  which  I have 
been  building  in  the  suburbs,  General  Munro 
engaged  me  by  giving  me  fifty  pagodas.  But 
when  I found  that  the  stones  which  I needed 
for  the  foundation  cost  twenty-five  pagodas,  I 
thought  I should  soon  stop  my  mill  for  want  ol 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


36 


water.  But  the  rajah  having  given  me  some 
golden  cloths  from  the  time  of  Lord  Pigott’s  ar- 
rival, lately,  when  the  General  was  here,  I took 
them  to  the  merchants,  who,  to  my  most  agree- 
able surprise,  valued  them  at  136  pagodas,  so 
that  I could  prosecute  my  plan  without  inter- 
ruption. I hope  that  God,  who  has  so  gracious- 
ly furnished  me  with  the  means  of  building  a 
house  of  prayer,  will  fill  it  also  with  spiritual 
children,  to  the  praise  of  his  name.  He  is  strong 
who  hath  promised,  us  such  glorious  things. 
Read  for  that  purpose  my  favorite  chapter  of 
Isaiah,  49  : 4-7  ; 18-20. 

“ I cheerfully  believe  that  God  will  build  the 
waste  places  of  this  country.  But  should  it  be 
done  after  we  are  laid  in  the  grave,  what  harm  ? 
This  country  is  covered  with  thorns ; let  us 
plough  and  sow  good  seed,  and  entreat  the  Lord 
to  make  it  spring  up.  Our  labor  in  the  Lord,  in 
his  cause,  and  for  his  glory,  will  not  be  in  vain. 

“I  am  constantly,  dear  friends, 

“Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

“ C.  F.  Swartz.” 

In  February,  1785,  Mr.  Swartz  gratefully  ac- 
knowledges the  assistance  rendered  to  his  de- 
signs by  Mr.  John  Sullivan,  the  resident  at 
Tanjore.  On  the  suggestion  of  this  gentleman, 
he  zealously  entered  into  a plan  of  establishing 


3G 


LIFE  OF 


Provincial  English  Schools  throughout  the 
country,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  intercourse  of 
the  natives  with  the  Europeans  ; that  the  prin- 
cipal natives,  learning  in  some  tolerable  degree 
the  English  language,  might  escape  the  impo- 
sitions practised  on  them;  and  that,  by  estab- 
lishing good  men  as  teachers,  they  might,  by 
degrees,  instill  into  the  minds  of  their  pupils 
the  salutary  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  He  fore- 
saw great  difficulties  in  the  execution  of  this 
plan,  particularly  from  the  want  of  suitable 
teachers ; but,  trusting  in  God,  he  entered  on 
the  scheme.  Several  of  the  native  princes,  with 
the  king  of  Tanjore,  assisted  him  in  this  de- 
sign. Schools  on  this  plan  were  soon  establish- 
ed at  Tanjore,  Ramanadaburam,  and  Sivagen- 
ga  ; and  a fourth,  afterward,  at  Cumbagonam, 
in  1792.  They  consisted  chiefly  of  children  of 
Brahmins  and  merchants.  “ Their  intention 
doubtless  is,”  says  Mr.  Swartz,  “ to  learn  the 
English  language,  with  a view  to  their  tem- 
poral welfare  ; but  they  thereby  become  better 
acquainted  with  good  principles.  No  deceitful 
methods  are  used  to  bring  them  over  to  the 
saving  doctrines  of  Christ,  though  the  most 
earnest  wishes  are  entertained  that  they  may 
all  come  to  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  of  Jesus 
Christ  whom  he  hath  sent.” 

The  East-India  Company  directed  the  Go 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


37 


vernment  of  Madras  to  pay  £100  annually  to 
ward  the  support  of  each  Provincial  English 
School,  and  the  same  sum  to  every  other  which 
might  be  established.  The  government  inquired 
of  Mr.  Swartz  in  what  manner  he  purposed  to 
apply  these  annual  grants.  He  conferred,  in 
consequence,  with  the  vestiy,  and  sent  their 
minutes  to  government,  which  were  highly  ap- 
proved. His  assistants,  Mr.  Pohle  and  Mr. 
KolhofF,  were  proposed  by  him  as  superintend- 
ants.  This  suggestion  was  made  by  him,  not 
because  he  intended  to  withdraw  himself,  but 
in  consideration  of  his  own  advanced  age, 
and  with  the  benevolent  view  of  rendering 
the  circumstances  of  his  brethren  more  com- 
fortable. 

The  Provincial  Schools,  as  well  as  the  En- 
glish and  Malabar  Schools,  were  attended  with 
the  happiest  effects.  The  Provincial  School  at 
Tanjore,  in  particular,  was  much  frequented  by 
children  of  the  first  families ; and  the  improve- 
ment made  by  the  scholars  was  very  observ- 
able. These  different  seminaries  furnished 
young  men  who  were  employed  at  Madras  as 
writers,  with  handsome  salaries  ; and  others 
who  obtained  considerable  employments. 

The  following  letter  was  written  in  1785  to 
a gentleman  whom  Mr.  Swartz  was  anxious  to 
win  over  to  the  habits  of  a Christian  life.  It  dis- 


38 


LIFE  OF 


covers,  at  once,  the  delicacy  and  the  faithful- 
ness of  a Christian  counsellor. 

“ Tanjobe,  Sept.  28,  1785. 

“ Dear  Sir, — I am  happy  to  hear  that  you 
will  not  come  by  yourself ; you  know  the  con- 
sequences attending  a bachelor’s  life. 

“ But,  being  now  in  a lawful  state  instituted 
by  God  himself,  take  care  lest  that  state  prove 
a snare.  In  itself  it  is  lawful,  and  ordained  by 
God  for  wise  reasons.  But  you  know  that  Adam 
resembled  his  Maker  before  he  entered  into  that 
state.  The  husband  must  be  filled  with  know- 
ledge, wisdom,  holiness,  and  all  other  Divine 
graces  ; then  will  he  be  able  to  govern  his  fami- 
ly wisely,  to  the  glory  of  God.  In  such  a gay 
place  as  Madras,  where  daily  dissipations  run 
away  with  all  time  and  strength,  it  is  doubly 
necessary  to  be  upon  your  guard.  Never  forget 
to  keep  up  family  prayer  in  your  house  : make 
it  a house  of  God,  and  it  will  be  a house  distin- 
guished by  Divine  blessings. 

“ At  present  people  read  all  sorts  of  novels, 
and  other  trash  : if  you  wish  to  be  happy,  and 
to  act  wisely,  I entreat  you  to  read  your  bi- 
ble  with  your  consort.  You  will  soon  find  the 
greatest  advantage  originating  from  it. 

Make  my  best  respects  to  Mrs. , and  tell 

her  that  I heartily  wish  she  may  he  like  Sarah, 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


3D 


Abraham’s  wife ; like  Hannah,  Samuel’s  mo- 
ther ; and  like  those  excellent  females  who  were 
not  ashamed  to  follow  Jesus  even  when  he  was 
crucified.  My  best  wishes  attend  you  and  your 
family — being,  dear  sir, 

“ Your  most  obedient 

“ Humble  servant, 

“ C.  F.  Swartz. 

January  23,  1787,  was  one  of  the  most  so- 
lemn days  ever  celebrated  at  Tran quebar.  On 
that  day  the  senior  of  the  Danish  mission,  the 
Rev.  John  Balthasar  Kolhoff,  observed  his  ju- 
bilee ; and  had  the  inexpressible  satisfaction  of 
seeing  his  eldest  son  ordained  in  the  Mission 
Church,  to  be  assistant  to  Mr.  Swartz.  The  se- 
veral Missionaries,  both  English  and  Danish, 
proposed  to  the  candidate  questions  in  divinity, 
which  he  answered  to  their  great  satisfaction, 
proving  how  well  he  had  employed  his  youth- 
ful years  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Swartz,  who 
had  undertaken  the  care  of  him  from  his  eighth 
year.  The  Danish  Governor,  and  all  the  Euro- 
pean families  of  the  settlement,  together  with  a 
great  number  of  Malabar  Christians  and  hea- 
thens, attended  the  service,  and  a general  awe 
was  conspicuous,  particularly  during  the  ordi- 
nation sermon,  preached  by  Mr.  Swartz  from 
2 Tim.  2:1,“  Thou,  therefore,  my  son,  he 


40 


LIFE  OF 


strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.”  Af- 
ter the  ordination  the  youg  missionary  enter- 
ed the  pulpit  and  preached  a Malabar  sermon, 
which  delighted  every  one  who  understood  it. 

Mr.  Swartz  speaks  very  feelingly  of  this  event 
in  the  following  letter,  which  bears  testimony, 
also,  to  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  was 
held  by  the  native  princes. 

“ Tanjore,  March  31,  1787. 

My  Dear  Friends, — As  Mr.  Ivolhoff  writes 
to  you,  I embrace  the  opportunity  of  adding  a 
few  lines.  At  his  ordination,  which  was  Janu- 
ary 23,  the  sight  of  the  young  man  and  his 
aged  father  sitting  near  the  altar,  melted  down 
my  heart  so  that  I could  not  refrain  from  shed- 
ding tears.  I know  how  you  love  my  young 
friend,  and  he  has  reason  to  look  upon  you  as 
a sort  of  parents.  He  has  now  his  course  to  run. 
May  the  Spirit  of  God  be  his  guide  and  com- 
forter. According  to  the  course  of  nature  I shall 
soon  leave  him  and  the  world.  May  a gracious 
God  lead  me  so  that  I may  not  be  afraid  of 
passing  through  the  valley  of  death. 

“You  must  have  heard  that  the  Rajah  of 
Tanjore  adopted  a son  when  I was  at  Tran- 
quebar.  I returned  the  26th  of  January.  The 
29th  the  Rajah  called  for  me  in  the  afternoon. 
He  showed  me  his  newly  adopted  son,  saying, 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


41 


“ This  is  not  ray,  but  your  son.  Into  your  hands 
and  care  I deliver  the  child.” 

“I  replied,  ‘You  know,  sir,  my  willingness 
to  serve  you  according  to  my  scanty  ability. 
But  this  your  last  wish  and  desire  is  above  my 
power.  You  have  adopted  a child  of  nine  years. 
You  know  there  are  parties  in  your  palace.  I 
may  see  the  child,  perhaps,  once  or  twice  in  a 
month.  What  good  can  this  do  to  the  child  ? I 
am  afraid  that  the  life  of  the  child  will  be  in 
danger,  and  your  country  brought  into  a state 
of  confusion.  You  must  fall  upon  some  other 
method.” 

He  said,  “ What  method  do  you  mean  ?”  1 
answered,  “You  have  a brother:  deliver  the 
child  to  him.  Charge  him  to  become  his  fa- 
ther, to  bring  him  up.  And  when  the  child  is 
grown  up,  let  your  brother  do  to  the  child  what 
a father  would  do  in  such  a case.  By  this  means 
you  save  the  child’s  life,  and  preserve  your 
country  in  a state  of  tranquility.”  The  rajah 
said  he  would  consider  all,  and  so  I left  him. 
The  rajah  called  that  evening  for  his  mother 
first,  and  proposed  the  case.  As  she  approved 
of  the  advice,  his  brother  was  called.  The  child 
was  desired  to  call  the  rajah’s  brother  his  father. 
The  next  morning  Mr.  Huddlestone,  and  the 
Colonel,  and  I myself  were  called.  The  rajah’s 
brother  and  the  child  were  sitting  under  a pa- 


42 


LIFE  OF 


vilion.  The  rajah  spoke  after  the  following 
manner : “ I have  followed  the  advice  given 
me  by  Padre  Swartz.  I appoint  my  brother  as 
father  to  the  child.  He  is  to  govern  the  country ; 
but  when  the  child  is  grown  up  he  is  to  act  as 
a father  to  the  child.  I hope  the  Honorable 
Company  will  confirm  this  my  last  will.  You, 
gentlemen,  are  witnesses  to  what  I have  said.” 
“ I am,  dear  friends,  your’s,  &c. 

“C.  F.  Swartz.” 

We  add  to  the  information  contained  in  this 
letter,  that  when  Mr.  Huddlestone  promised  to 
send  a faithful  account  to  government,  the  rajah 
said,  “ This  your  assurance  comforts  me  in  my 
last  hours.” 

Ameer  Sing,  the  brother,  thus  appointed  by 
the  rajah,  “ promises,”  said  Mr.  Swartz,  “ to  be 
a father  to  the  country,  to  alleviate  their  bur- 
dens, and  to  inspect  the  country,  without  leav- 
ing the  whole  administration  to  his  servants. 
He  hopes  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Governor- 
General,  according  to  the  last  will  of  his  brother. 
If  so,  certainly  he  will  not  hinder  the  progress 
of  the  Christian  religion,  but,  at  least  external- 
ly, further  it.” 

In  compliance  with  the  promise  of  his  de- 
ceased brother  to  Mr.  Swartz,  Ameer  Sing  de- 
livered to  him  a written  document,  sealed  by 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ 


43 


himself  and  his  chief  ministers,  in  which  he 
made  an  appropriation  for  ever  of  a village  of 
the  yearly  income  of  about  five  hundred  pago- 
das, for  the  school,  and  more  especially  for  the 
orphans.  Mr.  Swartz  purposed  to  give  it  o the 
government  of  Tranquebar,  on  condition  that 
five  hundred  pagodas  annually  should  be  paid 
to  the  school. 

In  this  year,  17S7,  Mr.  Swartz  observed,  with 
much  pleasure,  respecting  the  garrison  at  Tan- 
jore,  “that  the  soldiers  not  only  attended  Di- 
vine service  on  the  Sabbath,  but  also  the  work- 
ing-day evening  lectures,  which  were  frequent- 
ed by  great  numbers,  and  were  encouraged  by 
the  officers,  who  all  confessed  that  corporal 
punishments  had  ceased  from  the  time  that  the 
regiment  began  to  relish  religious  instructions.” 

Sir  Archibald  Campbell  being  appointed  go- 
vernor of  Madras,  arrived  at  a time  of  great  dis- 
tress, and  both  himself  and  his  lady  became 
blessings  to  the  country.  Mr.  Swartz  expresses 
his  obligation  to  them  in  very  strong  terms  : — 

“ The  Tanjore  country,”  says  he,  “ appeared 
to  be  in  a melancholy  situation.  The  inhabi- 
tants felt  and  resented  oppression  so  as  to  emi- 
grate. Whole  towns  and  villages  were  left 
quite  empty.  In  the  months  of  June  and  July 
the  country  was  blessed,  as  usual,  with  fresh 


44 


LIFE  OF 


water.  The  rivers  were  full,  but  there  were  few 
inhabitants  to  turn  it  to  their  advantage.  Sir 
Archibald,  fearing  that  this  emigration  might 
cause  a famine,  ordered  a committee  of  four 
persons  to  inspect  the  management  of  the  coun- 
try ; of  which  I was  desired  to  be  a member. 
The  rajah,  in  his  present1  state  of  infirmity, 
being  unable  to  bear  much  fatigue,  desired  me 
to  assure  the  inhabitants,  in  his  name,  of  jus- 
tice and  equity.  I did  so.  The  inhabitants  be- 
lieved the  promise  given  them,  and  7000  came 
in  at  once ; others  followed ; and  though  the 
best  season  for  cultivating  the  ground  was 
elapsed,  yet  the  poor  people,  anticipating  better 
days,  exerted  themselves  to  such  a degree  that 
the  harvest  of  this  year  seems  to  become  more 
plenteous  than  that  of  the  preceding  one. 

“ In  these  transactions  I had  the  best  oppor- 
tunity to  converse  with  the  first  inhabitants 
about  their  everlasting  welfare.  Many  began  to 
be  convinced  of  the  folly  of  idolatry ; and  as 
we  have  a prospect  of  seeing  this  country  bet- 
tor managed,  that  is,  with  more  justice,  it  is  tc 
be  hoped  that  it  will  have  a good  effect  upon 
the  people.  As  Sir  Archibald  Campbell  show- 
ed the  kindness  of  a father  to  this  country,  so 
Lady  Campbell  has  acted  the  part  of  a mother 
to  the  poor  female  orphans.  She  has  formed  a 
plan,  and  begun  to  execute  it,  for  educating 


KEV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


45 


poor  daughters  of  soldiers,  who  hitherto  have 
been  miserably  neglected  ; or,  if  they  were  edu- 
cated in  private  schools,  they  were,  however, 
left  without  protection,  and,  consequently,  often 
fell  into  the  hands  of  destroyers.  Lady  Camp- 
bell’s plan  has  the  sanction  and  protection  of 
government.  A subscription  has  been  set  on 
foot,  and  more  than  14,000  pagodas  are  already 
collected.  The  nabob  has  given  a very  spa- 
cious house,  which  he  bought,  for  8000  pago- 
das, for  that  purpose.  Twelve  ladies  form  the 
vestry,  and  each  of  them  is  to  inspect  a month. 
Lady  Campbell  hopes  that  a similar  institution, 
for  the  education  of  boys,  particularly  soldiers’ 
sons,  will  soon  be  made.  She  is,  however,  of 
opinion  that  gentlemen  will  soon  find  proper 
means  of  having  their  children  educated  here, 
without  being  obliged  to  send  them  to  Europe. 

“Though  this  account  is  but  short  and  im- 
perfect, yet  I am  confident  it  will  be  highly 
pleasing  to  the  Society.  The  plan  has  often 
been  made,  but  never  put  into  execution  till 
now.  Every  one  who  takes  a delight  in  trie 
welfare  of  his  fellow-creatures  will  praise  God 
for  the  humane  disposition  he  has  put  into  the 
heart  of  Lady  Campbell.  This  is  a most  com- 
fortable sign,  and  an  evidence  that  God  still  in- 
tends to  dwell  among  us.  When  the  orphans 
are  collected,  and  things  are  put  into  some  or- 


46 


LIFE  OF 


der,  I hope,  as  her  ladyship  has  invited  me  to 
be  an  eye-witness,  I shall  then  be  able  to  trans- 
mit to  you  a fuller  account  of  this  matter. 

“ As  to  the  provincial  schools,  which  were 
to  be  erected  according  to  Mr.  Sullivan’s  plan, 
in  the  principal  places  of  the  provinces,  I hearti- 
ly wish  they  may  be  established.  One  such 
school  is  kept  in  Ramanadaburam,  and  is 
carried  on  with  tolerable  success ; but  as  to  the 
establishment  of  others,  the  external  circum- 
stances of  the  districts  do  not  seem  favorable. 
The  petty  lords  of  districts  feel  too  much  op- 
pression, which,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  will  be  re- 
moved, and  then  those  institutions  will  be  ad- 
mitted without  impediment.  They  would  faci- 
litate the  connection  between  the  Europeans 
and  natives,  and  would  open  a door  to  the  mis- 
sionaries who  visited  them,  to  converse  freely 
with  the  principal  people  of  the  country ; by 
which  means  Divine  knowledge  might  be  con- 
veyed to  the  natives  in  the  easiest  manner.  It 
would  not  be  expedient  to  appoint  the  mission- 
aries teachers  in  such  schools ; for,  by  that  re- 
gulation, they  would  be  too  much  hindered  in 
their  proper  office  of  conversing  with  and  in- 
structing the  natives,  and  of  training  up  young 
people  for  these  schools  ; and  the  same  plan  is 
here  pursued,  where  ten  European  children  and 
four  natives  learn  English.” 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


47 


It  having  been  sometimes  objected  that  few 
of  the  heathen,  except  those  of  the  lower  castes, 
were  ever  converted  to  the  Christian  faith,  Mr. 
Swartz  writes  from  Trichinopoly  : 

“ Both  at  Tranquebar  and  here  are  nearly  an 
equal  number  of  the  higher  and  the  lower. 
Here  the  men  and  womenmf  the  higher  caste 
sit  on  one  side,  and  on  the  other  those  of  the 
lower.  I have  carefully  avoided  all  coercive 
measures,  and  thus  have  met  with  fewer  diffi- 
culties. Even  at  the  administration  of  the  sa- 
crament, sometimes  one  or  other  of  the  lower 
caste  has  first  approached  to  receive,  and  it  has 
not  been  taken  much  notice  of.  If  you  were  to 
visit  our  church  on  the  Lord’s  Day,  you  would, 
with  surprise,  observe  the  clean  appearance  of 
those  of  the  lower  caste,  so  that  one  might 
often  take  them  for  the  higher.  One  particular, 
which  renders  those  of  the  lower  castes  so  con- 
temptible, is  their  feeding  upon  dead  cattle.  I 
have  always  expressed  the  utmost  abhorrence 
of  such  a custom,  and  declared  that  I would 
suffer  no  such  practice;  and,  accordingly,  I 
hardly  know  any  instance  thereof  here.  The 
country  priests  and  catechists  are  of  the  higher 
caste.  The  catechist,  Gabriel,  indeed,  is  of  the 
lower;  but  he  speaks  freely  to  people  of  the 
higher,  as  he  takes  care  to  keep  himself  very 


48 


LIFE  OF 


clean  in  his  dress ; but,  in  the  country,  such 
conversation  is  not  so  easy.  A month  ago,  when 
I was  at  Timpalating,  in  the  house  of  a heathen 
of  the  higher  caste,  the  parish-catechist  came  to 
me.  I called  to  him — ‘ Stop  ; I will  come  to 
you.  The  Suttirer,’  that  is,  the  people  of  the 
higher  caste,  ‘ have  not  yet  learned  to  be  hum- 
ble : they  are  proud  sinners  yet ! We  must  bear 
with  them  !’  This  they  were  not  willing  to  ad- 
mit, and  accordingly  showed  great  kindness 
to  the  catechist.  In  another  place,  in  the  house 
of  a heathen,  many  people  assembled,  whom  I 
catechised  and  prayed  with,  and  we  even  had 
Divine  service  there  on  the  Sabbath.  The 
owner  of  the  house  sat  near,  and  paid  atten- 
tion. We  preach  to  high  and  low  ‘Christ  Je- 
sus, made  of  God  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righ- 
teousness, and  sanctification,  and  redemption.’ 
1 Cor.  1 : 30.” 

The  following  is  a letter  from  Mr.  Swartz  to 
some  afflicted  friends  : 

“ Tanjore,  July,  1788. 

“ My  dear  Friends,— I am  just  come  home 
from  taking  my  farewell  of  Mrs. . In  hu- 

man probability  I have  seen  her  for  the  last 
time  in  this  world.  She  has  had  her  share  of 
sorrow.  May  we  meet  in  a blessed  eternity, 


REV.  C,  F.  SWARTZ. 


49 


where  sin  and  sorrow  cannot  afflict  us  any 
more.  As  there  is  sin  in  this  world,  there  is  of 
course,  and  must  be,  sorrow ; nor  have  we  any 
reason  to  complain,  since  sorrow,  if  well  ma- 
naged, will  produce  excellent  effects.  Few  men, 
unacquainted  with  grief,  have  come  to  a lively 
knowledge  of  themselves  and  their  corruptions ; 
and  if  so,  how  could  they  in  earnest  apply  to 
Jesus  Christ  the  Redeemer,  hungering  and 
thirsting  after  his  righteousness  ? How  could 
they  fervently  pray  for  pardon,  or  for  the  grace 
of  the  Holy  Spirit?  In  short,  I believe  every 
sincere  Christian  will  confess,  with  David,  “ Be- 
fore I was  afflicted  I went  astray  ; but  now  have 
I kept  thy  word.”  If,  then,  sorrow  and  affliction 
are  our  medicines,  let  us  take  from  the  hand 
of  the  Lord  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon 
his  name  to  make  it  effectual  to  our  good.  On 
these,  and  such  like  meditations,  you,  jointly 
with  Mrs.  , will  dwell,  and  comfort  your- 

selves with  the  prospects  of  a better  world. 
They  are  frequently  my  thoughts,  particularly 
as  I am  so  near  my  end.  I am  not  sick  ; I go 
through  the  course  of  my  duties : when  alone, 
I groan  a little,  but,  I hope,  without  murmur- 
ing. The  17th  of  this  month  I finish  my  thirty- 
eighth  year  of  pilgrimage  in  this  country,  as  I 
arrived  July  17th,  1750. 


Swartz. 


4 


50 


LIFE  OF 


In  1793  Mr.  Swartz  says,  “ The  heathens 
observing  that  many  of  their  relations  wished 
to  embrace  Christianity,  and  that  such  refused 
to  join  in  their  plundering  expeditions,  assem- 
bled and  formed  an  encampment,  threatening 
to  extirpate  Christianity.  Now  all  looked  dis- 
mal. Many  of  the  Christians  were  encouraged 
by  their  relations,  who  were  heathens,  to  form 
an  opposite  camp.  But  I exhorted  the  Christians 
to  make  use  of  other  weapons,  namely,  prayer, 
humility,  and  patience  ; telling  them,  in  strong 
terms,  that,  if  they  became  aggressors  I should 
disown  them.  This  disturbance  lasted  four 
months,  and  became  very  serious,  as  the  mal- 
contents neglected  the  cultivation  of  their  own 
fields,  and  deterred  others  from  doing  it.  I wrote 
to  these  misguided  people,  (for  they  had  mis- 
chievous guides,)  sent  catechists  to  them,  ex- 
horted them  not  to  commit  such  horrid  sins, 
and  reminded  them  that  my  former  endeavors, 
so  beneficial  to  them,  had  not  merited  such 
treatment.  At  last,  finding  no  opposition  from 
the  Christians,  and  not  being  willing  to  be  look- 
ed upon  as  the  aggressors,  all  went  to  their 
homes  and  work,  ploughing  and  sowing  with 
double  diligence.  My  heart  rejoiced  at  the  kind 
over-ruling  Providence.  Surely  he  is  a God  that 
heareth  prayer.” 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


51 


In  the  year  1793,  when  the  Act  of  Parliament 
was  depending  for  the  renewal  of  the  Compa 
ny’s  charter,  certain  clauses  were  proposed  in 
favor  of  Free  Schools  and  Christian  Missiona 
ries.  In  the  Courier  of  Friday,  May  24,  of  thal 
year,  the  following  paragraph  was  inserted  : 

11  Mr.  Montgomery  Campbell  gave  his  decid- 
ed vote  against  the  clause,  and  reprobated  the 
idea  of  converting  the  Gentoos.  It  is  true,  mis- 
sionaries have  made  proselytes  of  the  Pariahs, 
but  they  were  the  lowest  order  of  people , and 
had  even  degraded  the  religion  they  professed 
to  embrace.  Mr.  Swartz,  whose  character  was 
held  so  deservedly  high,  could  not  have  any 
reason  to  boast  of  the  purity  of  his  followers  : 
they  were  proverbial  for  their  profligacy.  An 
instance  occurred  to  his  recollection,  perfectly 
in  point:  He  had  been  preaching  for  many 
hours  to  this  caste  of  proselytes  on  the  heinous- 
ness of  theft,  and,  in  the  heat  of  his  discourse 
had  taken  off  his  stock,  when  that  and  his  gold 
buckle  were  stolen  by  one  of  his  virtuous  and 
enlightened  congregation.  On  such  a descrip- 
tion of  natives  did  the  doctrine  of  the  missiona- 
ries operate : men  of  high  caste  would  spurn  at 
the  idea  of  changing  the  religion  of  their  an- 
cestors.” 


i>2 


LIFE  OF 


This  newspaper  reached  India,  and  was  put 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Swartz.  An  answer  was 
drawn  up  by  him,  and  sent  in  a letter,  address- 
ed to  the  secretary  of  the  Society  for  promoting 
Christian  Knowledge.  The  Society,  judging  it 
to  be  “ particularly  interesting,”  gave  it  at  full 
length  in  their  Report  for  1795,  prefixing  to  it 
their  own  testimony,  and  that  of  the  Marquis 
Cornwallis,  to  Mr.  Swartz’s  character. 

“ As  the  Society,”  they  say,  “ after  forty 
years’  experience,  have  had  constant  reason  to 
approve  of  Mr.  Swartz’s  integrity  and  veracity 
as  a correspondent,  his  zeal  as  a promoter  of 
Christian  Knowledge,  and  his  labors  as  a mis- 
sionary, they  take  this  opportunity  of  acknow- 
ledging his  faithful  services,  and  of  recommend- 
ing his  letter  to  the  consideration  of  the  public, 
as  containing  a just  statement  of  facts  relating  to 
the  mission,  believing  that  Mr.  Swartz  is  inca- 
pable of  departing  from  the  truth  in  the  minut- 
est particular.” 

After  the  testimony  of  Marquis  Cornwallis, 
follows  the  letter  itself : — 

“ Tanjore,  Feb.  13,  1794. 

“ Rev.  and  dear  Sir, — As  his  majesty’s 
74th  regiment  is  partly  stationed  at  Tanjore, 
and  partly  at  Vallam,  six  English  miles  distant 
from  Tanjore,  we  commonly  go  once  in  a week 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


53 


to  Yallam  to  perform  divine  service  to  four  com- 
panies of  that'  regiment.  When  I lately  went 
to  that  place,  the  210th  number  of  a newspaper 
called  the  Courier,  Friday  evening,  May  24, 
1793,  Avas  communicated  to  me.  In  that  paper 
I found  a paragraph,  delivered  by  Mr.  Montgo- 
mery Campbell,  (who  came  out  to  India  with 
Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  in  the  station  of  a pri- 
vate secretary,)  wherein  my  name  was  men- 
tioned. 

[Here  Mr.  Swartz  recites  the  paragraph : and 
then  adds  as  follows  : — ] 

“ As  this  paragraph  is  found  in  a public  pa- 
per, I thought  it  would  not  displease  the  Hono- 
rable Society  to  make  a few  observations  on  it ; 
not  to  boast,  (which  I detest,)  but  to  declare  the 
plain  truth,  and  to  defend  my  brethren  and 
myself. 

“ About  seventeen  years  ago,  when  I resided 
at  Trichinopoly,  I visited  the  congregation  at 
Tanjore.  In  my  road  I arrived  very  early  at  a 
village  which  is  inhabited  by  Collaries,  (a  set  of 
people  who  are  infamous  for  stealing ; even  the 
name  of  a Collary  signifieth  a thief.)  These 
Collaries  make  nightly  excursions  in  order  to 
rob.  They  drive  aAvay  bullocks  and  sheep,  and 
whatever  they  can  find ; for  which  outrage 
they  annually  pay  1500  chakr,  or  750  pagodas, 
to  the  rajah.  Of  this  caste  of  people  many  live 


LIFE  OF 


r>  4 

ill  the  Tanjore  country,  still  more  in  Tondi- 
man’s  country,  and  likewise  in  the  nabob’s 
country. 

“ When  I arrived  at  one  of  those  villages, 
called  Pudaloor,  I took  otf  my  stock,  putting  it 
upon  a sand-bank.  Advancing  a little  to  look 
out  for  the  man  who  carried  my  linen  clothes,  I 
was  regardless  of  the  stock,  at  which  time  some 
thievish  boys  took  it  away.  Not  one  grown 
person  was  present.  When  the  inhabitants 
heard  of  the  theft  they  desired  me  to  confine 
all  those  boys,  and  to  punish  them  as  severely 
as  I pleased.  But  I refused  to  do  that,  not  think- 
ing that  the  trifle  which  I had  lost  was  worth 
so  much  trouble. 

“ That  such  boys,  whose  fathers  are  professed 
thieves,  should  commit  a theft,  can  be  no  mat- 
ter of  wonder.  All  the  inhabitants  of  that  vil- 
lage were  heathens : not  one  Christian  family 
was  found  therein.  Many  of  our  gentlemen, 
travelling  through  that  village,  have  been  rob- 
bed. The  trifle  of  a buckle  I did  therefore  not 
lose  by  a Christian,  as  Mr.  Montgomery  Camp- 
bell will  have  it,  but  by  heathen  boys.  Neither 
did  I preach  at  that  time.  Mr.  Campbell  says 
that  I preached  two  hours.  I did  not  so  much 
as  converse  with  any  man. 

“ This  poor  story,  totally  misrepresented,  is 
alleged  by  Mr.  M.  Campbell  to  prove  the  profli- 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


55 


gacy  of  Christians,  whom  he  called,  with  a 
sneer,  “virtuous  and  enlightened  people.”  If 
Mr.  M.  Campbell  has  no  better  proof,  his  conclu- 
sion is  built  upon  a bad  foundation,  and  I shall 
not  admire  his  logic  : truth  is  against  him. 

“Neither  is  it  true  that  the  greater  part  of 
those  people  who  have  been  instructed  are  pa- 
riahs. Had  Mr.  M.  Campbell  visited,  even  once, 
our  church,  he  would  have  observed  that  more 
than  two-thirds  were  of  the  higher  caste  ; and 
so  it  is  at  Tranquebar  and  Vepery. 

“ Our  intention  is  not  to  boast ; but  this  I 
may  safely  say,  that  many  of  those  people  who 
have  been  instructed  have  left  this  world  with 
comfort,  and  with  a well-grounded  hope  of 
everlasting  life.  That  some  of  those  who  have 
been  instructed  have  abused  the  benefit  of  in- 
struction, is  certain.  But  all  sincere  servants  of 
God,  nay,  even  the  apostles,  have  experienced 
this  grief. 

“ It  is  asserted  that  a missionary  is  a disgrace 
to  any  country.  Lord  Macartney,  and  the  late 
General  Coote,  would  have  entertained  a very 
different  opinion.  They,  and  many  other  gen- 
tlemen, know  and  acknowledge  that  the  mis- 
sionaries have  been  beneficial  to  government, 
and  a comfort  to  the  country.  This  I am  able 
to  prove  in  the  strongest  manner.  Many  gentle- 
men who  live  now  in  England,  and  in  this 
country,  would  corroborate  my  assertion. 


5i> 


LIFE  OF 


“ That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke  has  been  of  em- 
inent service  to  Cuddalore,  every  gentleman 
who  was  there  at  the  time  when  the  war  broke 
out,  knows.  He  was  the  instrument,  in  the 
hands  of  Providence,  by  which  Cuddalore  was 
saved  from  plunder  and  bloodshed.  He  saved 
many  gentlemen  from  becoming  prisoners  to 
Hyder,  which  Lord  Macartney  kindly  acknow- 
ledged. 

“ When  Negapatam,  that  rich  and  populous 
city,  fell  into  the  deepest  poverty  by  the  una- 
voidable consequences  of  war,  Mr.  Gericke  be- 
haved like  a father  to  the  distressed  people  of 
that  city.  He  forgot  that  he  had  a family  to 
provide  for.  Many  impoverished  families  were 
supported  by  him ; so  that  when  I,  a few  months 
ago,  preached  and  administered  the  sacrament 
in  that  place,  I saw  many  who  owed  their  own 
and  their  children’s  lives  to  his  disinterested 
care.  Surely  this,  my  friend,  could  not  be  called 
a disgrace  to  that  place.  When  the  Honorable 
Society  ordered  him  to  attend  the  congregation 
at  Madras  all  lamented  his  departure.  And  at 
Madras  he  is  esteemed  by  the  Governor,  and 
many  other  gentlemen,  to  this  day. 

“ It  is  a most  disagreeable  task  to  speatc  of 
one’s  self.  However,  I hope  that  the  Honorable 
Society  will  not  look  upon  some  observations 
which  I am  to  make,  as  a vain  and  sinful  boast- 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


57 


ing,  but  rather  as  a necessary  self-defence.  Nei- 
ther the  missionaries,  nor  any  of  the  Christians, 
have  hurt  the  welfare  of  the  country. 

“ In  the  time  of  war  the  fort  of  Tanjore  was 
in  a distressed  condition.  A powerful  enemy 
was  near,  the  people  in  the  fort  numerous,  and 
not  provision  even  for  the  garrison.  There  was 
grain  enough  in  the  country,  but  we  had  no 
bullocks  to  bring  it  into  the  fort.  When  the 
country  people  formerly  brought  paddy  into  the 
fort,  the  rapacious  Dubashes  deprived  them  of 
their  due  pay.  Hence  all  confidence  was  lost ; 
so  that  the  inhabitants  drove  away  their  cattle, 
refusing  to  assist  the  fort.  The  late  Rajah  or- 
dered, nay,  entreated  the  people,  by  his  mana- 
gers, to  come  and  help  us ; but  all  was  in  vain. 

“ At  last  the  Rajah  said  to  one  of  our  princi- 
pal gentlemen,  1 We  all,  you  and  I,  have  lost 
our  credit ; let  us  try  whether  the  inhabitants 
will  trust  Mr.  Swartz.’  Accordingly  he  sent  me 
a blank  paper,  empowering  me  to  make  a pro- 
per agreement  with  the  people.  Here  was  no 
time  for  hesitation.  The  seapoys  fell  down  as 
dead  people,  being  emaciated  with  hunger.  Our 
streets  were  lined  with  dead  corpses  every  morn- 
ing. Our  condition  was  deplorable.  I sent,  there- 
fore, letters  every  where  round  about,  promis- 
ing to  pay  any  one  with  my  own  hands,  and 
to  pay  them  for  any  bullock  which  might  be 


58 


LIFE  OF 


taken  by  the  enemy.  In  one  or  two  days  I got 
above  a thousand  bullocks.  I sent  one  of  our 
catechists,  and  other  Christians  into  the  coun- 
try ; they  went  at  the  risk  of  their  lives,  made 
all  possible  haste,  and  brought  into  the  fort,  in 
a very  short  time,  80,000  kalams  of  grain  : by 
this  means  the  fort  was  saved.  When  all  was 
over  I paid  the  people,  (even  with  some  money 
which  belonged  to  others,)  made  them  a small 
present,  and  sent  them  home. 

“ The  next  year,  when  Colonel  Braithwaite, 
with  his  whole  detachment,  was  taken  prisoner, 
Major  Alcock  commanded  this  fort,  and  behav- 
ed very  kindly  to  the  poor  starving  people.  We 
were  then,  the  second  time,  in  the  same  mise- 
rable condition.  The  enemy  always  invaded 
the  country  when  the  harvest  was  nigh  at  hand. 
I was  again  desired  to  try  my  former  expedient, 
and  succeeded.  The  people  knew  that  they 
were  not  to  be  deprived  of  their  pay ; they 
therefore  came  with  their  cattle.  But  now  the 
danger  was  greater,  as  the  enemy  was  very 
near.  The  Christians  conducted  the  inhabitants 
to  proper  places,  surely  with  no  small  danger 
of  losing  their  lives : accordingly  they  wept, 
and  went,  and  supplied  the  fort  with  grain. 
When  the  inhabitants  were  paid,  I strictly  in- 
quired whether  any  of  the  Christians  had  taken 
from  them  a present?  They  all  said,  ‘ No,  no; 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


59 


as  we  were  so  regularly  paid,  we  offered  to  your, 
catechist  a cloth  of  small  value,  but  he  abso- 
lutely refused  it.’  ” 

“ But  Mr.  M.  Campbell  says,  that  the  Chris- 
tians are  profligate  to  a proverb.  If  Mr.  M. 
Campbell  was  near  me  I would  explain  to  him 
who  are  the  profligate  people  who  drain  the 
country.  When  a Dubash,  in  the  space  of  ten 
or  fifteen  years,  scrapes  together  two,  three,  or 
four  lacks  of  pagodas,  is  not  this  extortion  a 
high  degree  of  profligacy?  Nay,  government 
was  obliged  to  send  an  order  that  three  of  those 
Gentoo  Dubashes  should  quit  the  Tanjore  coun- 
try. The  enormous  crimes  committed  by  them 
filled  the  country  with  complaints,  but  I have 
no  mind  to  enumerate  them. 

“ It  is  asserted  that  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country  would  suffer  by  missionaries.  If  the 
missionaries  are  sincere  Christians  it  is  impossi- 
ble that  the  inhabitants  should  suffer  any  da- 
mage by  them ; if  they  are  not  what  they  pro- 
fess to  be,  they  ought  to  be  dismissed. 

“When  Sir  Archibald  Campbell  was  gover- 
nor, and  Mr.  M.  Campbell  his  private  secretary, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Tanjore  country  were  so 
miserably  oppressed  by  the  manager,  and  the 
Madras  Dubashes,  that  they  quitted  the  coun- 
try. Of  course  all  cultivation  ceased.  In  the 
month  of  June  the  cultivation  should  com- 


60 


LIFE  OF 


mence;  but  nothing  was  done  even  at  the  be- 
ginning of  September.  Every  one  dreaded  the 
calamity  of  a famine.  I entreated  the  rajah  to 
remove  that  shameful  oppression,  and  to  recall 
the  inhabitants.  He  sent  them  word  that  jus- 
tice should  be  done  to  them,  but  they  disbeliev- 
ed his  promises.  He  then  desired  me  to  write 
to  them,  and  to  assure  them  that  he,  at  my  in- 
tercession, would  show  kindness  to  them.  I did 
so.  All  immediately  returned  ; and  first  of  all 
the  Kallers,  or,  as  they  are  commonly  called, 
Collaries,  believed  my  word,  so  that  7,000  men 
came  back  on  one  day.  The  rest  of  the  inha- 
bitants followed  their  example.  When  I ex- 
horted them  to  exert  themselves  to  the  utmost, 
because  the  time  for  cultivation  was  almost  lost, 
they  replied  in  the  following  manner: — “As 
you  have  showed  kindness  to  us,  you  shall  not 
liave  reason  to  repent  of  it ; we  intend  to  work 
night  and  day  to  show  our  regard  for  you.”  Sir 
Archibald  Campbell  was  happy  when  he  heard 
it ; and  we  had  the  satisfaction  of  having  a 
better  crop  than  the  preceding  year. 

“ As  there  was  hardly  any  administration  of 
justice,  I begged  and  entreated  the  rajah  to  es- 
tablish justice  in  his  country.  “Well,”  said  he, 
“ let  me  know  wherein  my  people  are  oppress- 
ed.” I did  so.  He  immediately  consented  to 
my  proposal,  and  told  his  manager  that  he 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


61 


should  feel  his  indignation  if  the  oppression  did 
not  cease  immediately.  But  as  he  soon  died  he 
did  not  see  the  execution  of  his  order. 

“ When  the  present  rajah  began  his  reign  I 
put  Sir  Archibald  Campbell  in  mind  of  that  ne- 
cessary point.  He  desired  me  to  make  a plan 
for  a court  of  justice,  which  I did ; but  it  was 
soon  neglected  by  the  servants  of  the  rajah, 
Avho  commonly  sold  justice  to  the  best  bidder. 

“ When  the  Honorable  Company  took  pos- 
session of  the  country,  during  the  war,  the 
plan  for  introducing  justice  was  reassumed,  by 
which  many  people  were  made  happy.  But, 
when  the  country  was  restored  to  the  rajah  the 
former  irregularities  took  place. 

“ During  the  assumption  government  desired 
me  to  assist  the  gentlemen  collectors.  The  dis- 
trict toward  the  west  of  Tanjore  had  been  very 
much  neglected,  so  that  the  water-courses  had 
not  been  cleansed  for  the  last  fifteen  years.  I 
proposed  that  the  collector  should  advance  500 
pagodas  to  cleanse  those  water-courses.  The 
gentlemen  consented  if  I would  inspect  the 
business.  The  work  was  begun  and  finished, 
being  inspected  by  Christians.  All  that  part  of 
the  country  rejoiced  in  getting  100,000  kalams 
of  grain  more  than  before.  The  inhabitants 
confessed  that  instead  of  one  kalam  they  now 
reaped  four. 


62 


LIFE  OF 


“ No  inhabitant  has  suffered  by  Christians ; 
none  has  complained  of  it.  On  the  contrary, 
one  of  the  richest  inhabitants  said  to  me,  “ Sir, 
if  you  send  a person  to  us,  send  us  one  who 
has  learned  all  your  ten  commandments.”  For 
he,  and  many  hundred  inhabitants,  had  been 
present  when  I explained  the  Christian  doctrine 
to  heathens  and  Christians. 

“The  inhabitants  dread  the  conduct  of  a 
Madras  Dubash.  These  people  lend  money  to 
the  rajah  at  an  exorbitant  interest,  and  then  are 
permitted  to  collect  their  money  and  interest  in 
an  appointed  district.  It  is  needless  to  mention 
the  consequences. 

“ When  the  Collaries  committed  great  out- 
rages in  their  plundering  expeditions,  Seapoys 
were  sent  out  to  adjust  matters,  but  it  had  no 
effect.  Government  desired  me  to  inquire  into 
that  thievish  business.  I therefore  sent  letters 
to  the  head  Collaries.  They  appeared.  We 
found  out,  in  some  degree,  how  much  the  Tan- 
jore  and  Tondimans,  and  the  Nabob’s  Collaries 
had  stolen ; and  we  insisted  upon  restoration, 
which  was  done  accordingly.  At  last,  all  gave 
it  in  writing  that  they  would  steal  no  more. 
This  promise  they  kept  very  well  for  eight 
months,  and  then  they  began  then  old  work ; 
however,  not  as  before.  Had  that  inspection 
over  their  conduct  been  continued,  they  might 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


63 


have  been  made  useful  people.  I insisted  upon 
their  cultivating  their  fields,  which  they  really 
did.  But  if  the  demands  become  exorbitant, 
they  have  no  resource,  as  they  think,  but  that 
of  plundering. 

“ At  last  some  of  those  thievish  Collaries  de- 
sired to  be  instructed.  I said,  ‘ I am  obliged  to 
instruct  you,  but  I am  afraid  that  you  will  be 
veiy  bad  Christians.’  Their  promises  were  fair. 
I instructed  them,  and  exhorted  them  to  steal 
no  more,  but  to  work  industriously.  After  that 
I visited  them,  and  having  examined  their 
knowledge  I desired  to  see  their  work.  I ob- 
served with  pleasure  that  their  fields  were  ex- 
cellently cultivated.  1 Now,’  said  I,  ‘ one  thing 
remains  to  be  done ; you  must  pay  your  tribute 
readily,  and  not  wait  till  it  is  exacted  by  milita- 
ry force;’  which  otherwise  is  their  custom. 
Soon  after  that  I found  that  they  had  paid  ofF 
their  tribute  exactly.  The  only  complaint 
agaist  those  Christian  Collaries  was,  that  they 
refused  to  go  upon  plundering  expeditions,  as 
they  had  done  before. 

“ Now  I am  well  aware  that  some  will  ac- 
cuse me  of  having  boasted.  I confess  the  charge 
willingly,  but  lay  all  the  blame  upon  those  who 
have  constrained  me  to  commit  that  folly.  I 
might  have  enlarged  my  account,  but,  fearing 
that  some  characters  would  have  suffered  by  it, 


64 


LIFE  OF 


i stop  here.  One  thing,  however,  I affirm  be- 
fore God  and  man,  that  if  Christianity, 

IN  ITS  PLAIN  AND  UNDISGUISED  FORM,  WAS 
PROPERLY  PROMOTED,  THE  COUNTRY  WOULD 
NOT  SUFFER,  BUT  BE  BENEFITED  BY  IT. 

“ If  Christians  were  employed  in  some  im- 
portant offices,  they  should,  if  they  misbehaved, 
be  doubly  punished ; but  to  reject  them  entire- 
ly is  not  right,  and  discourageth  them. 

“ The  glorious  God,  and  our  blessed  Redeem- 
er, has  commanded  his  apostles  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  all  nations.  The  knowledge  of  God 
of  his  Divine  perfections,  and  of  his  mercy  to 
mankind,  may  be  abused,  but  there  is  no  other 
method  of  reclaiming  mankind  than  by  in- 
structing them  well.  To  hope  that  the  hea- 
thens will  live  a good  life  without  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  is  a chimera. 

“The  praise  bestowed  on  the  heathens  of 
this  country  by  many  of  our  historians,  is  refu- 
ted by  a close  (I  might  almost  say,  by  a super- 
ficial) inspection  of  their  lives.  Many  historical 
works  are  more  like  a romance  than  history. 
Many  gentlemen  here  are  astonished  how  some 
historians  have  prostituted  their  talents  by 
writing  fables. 

“ I am  now  on  the  brink  of  eternity  ; but  to 
this  moment  I declare  that  I do  not  repent  of 
having  spent  forty-three  years  in  the  service  of 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


65 


my  Divine  Master.  Who  knows  but  God  may 
remove  some  of  the  great  obstacles  to  the  pro- 
pagation of  the  Gospel  ? Should  a reformation 
take  place  amongst  the  Europeans,  it  would,  no 
dmbt,  be  the  greatest  blessing  to  the  country. 

“ These  observations  I beg  leave  to  lay  be- 
fore the  Honorable  Society,  with  my  humble 
thanks  for  all  their  benefits  bestowed  on  this 
work,  and  sincere  wishes  that  their  pious  and 
generous  endeavors  to  disseminate  the  know- 
ledge of  God  and  Jesus  Christ,  may  be  benefi- 
cial to  many  thousands. 

“I  am,  sincerely,  Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  your  af- 
fectionate brother  and  humble  servant, 

“ C.  F.  Swartz.” 

Mr.  Swartz  was  never  married  ; and,  though 
this  circumstance  may  induce  some  persons  to 
attach  less  weight  to  his  sentiments  on  the  sub- 
ject of  a missionary’s  marriage  than  they  de- 
serve, yet  the  following  remarks  justly  claim 
the  serious  consideration  of  all  whom  they  may 
concern. 

Adverting  to  information  which  he  had  re- 
ceived of  the  arrival  of  a missionary  in  India 
with  his  wife,  he  writes  as  follows : 

“ I confess,  dear  Sir,  I was  grieved  at  it.  I 
assure  you  that  I honor  the  state  of  matrimony 

Swartz.  5 


66 


LIFE  OF 


as  a divinely-instituted  state ; but,  if  a new  mis- 
sionary comes  out,  he  ought  to  be  unembarrass- 
ed. His  first  work,  besides  an  attention  to  his 
personal  religion,  is  the  learning  of  some  lan- 
guages, which  requires  great  attention  and  un- 
wearied application.  I will  not  say  that  a mar- 
ried man  is  unable  to  learn  languages,  but  this 
I know  from  experience  in  others,  that  the  work 
goes  on  very  slowly.  Besides,  a new  missionary 
who  comes  out  in  the  married  state  wants  many 
things  to  maintain  his  family  decently,  which 
may  distract  him.  If  one  should  enter  into  that 
state  after  he  had  become  qualified  for  his  office, 
the  difficulty  would  be  less ; and,  even  then,  he 
ought  to  be  well  assured  of  her  real  piety,  other- 
wise she  will  be  a sore  impediment  to  him  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty.” 

But  the  labors  of  this  eminent  man  were  now 
drawing  to  a close.  It  has  been  already  shown 
how  habitual  was  his  expectation  of  death,  and 
his  preparation  for  the  great  change. 

In  a letter,  part  of  which  has  been  given  be- 
fore, he  says,  “ How  many  thousand  benefits 
have  I received  from  a merciful  God ! How 
grateful  ought  I to  have  been  ! But,  alas  ! I 
must  say,  ‘Forgive,  forgive  all  my  multiplied 
iniquities,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.’  ” 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


67 


CHAPTER  III. 

Close  of  his  fifty  years'  Missionary  toil e and  his  Irium 
phant  death. 

“ Whether  I shall  write  again  is  uncertain. 
One  tiling  only  is  certain,  that  we  must  die. 
But  if  we  die  in  the  Lord,  united  to  Jesus  Christ, 
being  interested  in  his  atonement,  and  renewed, 
at  least  in  some  degree,  by  his  Spirit,  and  hav- 
ing a well-grounded  hope  of  everlasting  life,  all 
is  well.  Death  has  lost  its  sting,  that  is,  its 
power  to  hurt  us.  O blessed  eternity  ! there  I 
hope  to  sing  the  praises  of  God  and  our  Re- 
deemer with  you.  Till  then,  let  us  1 fight  the 
good  fight  of  faith,  laying  hold  on  eternal  life,’ 

till  we  enjoy  it.  Remember  me  to  and 

; and  tell  them  I wish  to  be  with  them  in 

the  house  of  my  heavenly  Father.  I am  now 
on  the  brink  of  eternity.  Oh,  when  shall  I see 
God  and  praise  him  for  ever  ! When  shall  I be 
perfectly  wise,  holy,  and  happy  ! When  shall  I 
live  for  ever  ! I am,  sincerely,  to  the  last  breath 
of  my  life,  dear  friends, 

“ Your  most  obedient 

“ Humble  servant, 

“C.  F.  Swartz.” 

The  following  is  another  of  his  letters : 


68 


LIFE  OF 


“ Tanjore,  April  10,  1795. 

“ My  dear  Friends, — As  Mr.  KolhofF  has 
given  you  an  account  of  his  present  welfare,  I 
will  add  something  concerning  my  own  health. 
I praise  God  for  his  mercy,  which  he  has  be- 
stowed upon  me.  Though  I am  now  in  the 
sixty-ninth  year  of  my  age,  I still  am  able  to 
perform  the  ordinary  functions  of  my  office.  Of 
sickness  I know  little  or  nothing.  How  long  1 
am  to  stay,  my  Creator  and  Preserver  knows. 
My  only  comfort  is  in  the  redemption  made  by 
Jesus  Christ.  He  is,  and  shall  be,  my  wisdom ; 
by  him  I have  received  the  salutary  knowledge 
which  leads  me  to  the  favor  of  God.  He  is  my 
righteousness  ; by  his  atonement  I have  pardon 
of  my  sins ; being  clothed  in  his  righteousness, 
my  sins  will  not  appear  in  judgment  against 
me.  He  is  likewise  my  sanctification : in  his 
holy  life  I best  learn  the  will  of  God : and,  by 
his  Spirit,  I shall  be  daily  encouraged  and 
strengthened  to  hate  eveiy  sin,  and  to  walk  in 
the  way  of  the  commandments  of  God.  He  is, 
and  I hope  he  will  be,  my  redemption : by  him 
I shall  be  delivered  from  all  evil,  and  made 
eternally  happy. 

“ Others  may  glory  in  what  they  please ; I 
will  glory  in  nothing  else  but  Jesus  Christ,  and 
him  crucified.  Should  I presume  to  rely  on  my 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


69 


own  virtue,  I must  soon  despair.  Though  ] 
heartily  wish  to  obey  God,  and  follow  the  ex- 
ample of  my  Savior ; though  I will  steadfastly 
endeavor,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  subdue  my 
inclination  to  sin;  yet,  in  all  this,  there  is  and 
ever  will  be  imperfection,  so  that  I dare  not 
stand  upon  so  rotten  a ground.  But  to  win 
Christ,  and  to  be  found  in  him  in  life,  in  death, 
in  the  day  of  judgment,  was  St.  Paul’s  wish, 
has  been  the  wish  of  all  genuine  Christians,  and 
shall  be  mine  as  long  as  I breathe.  This  was 
not  a peculiarity  in  St.  Paul’s  character.  No : 
he  admonishes  all  to  follow  him  in  this  point. 
This  close  adherence  to  Christ  will  not  make 
us  indolent  in  our  obedience.  It  will  rather  im- 
pel, strengthen,  and  cheer  us  in  the  pursuit  of 
true  and  Christian  holiness. 

“ As  this  may  very  possibly  be  my  last  letter 
to  you,  I cannot  but  earnestly  entreat  you  to 
follow  St.  Paul,  that  excellent  pattern  of  true 
goodness.  By  doing  so,  you  will  easily  Avith- 
stand  and  overcome  the  temptations  of  a vain 
Avorld : you  will  live  and  die  in  peace ; and,  at 
last,  be  received  into  glory. 

“ We  have  known  one  another  a long  time 
on  earth.  May  we  know  one  another  in  a bless- 
ed eternity,  where  sin  and  sorrow  shall  never 
disturb  us  ! Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  £may  be 


70 


LIFE  OF 


accounted  worthy  to  stand  before  the  Son  of 
Man,’  your  Redeemer. 

“ I am,  my  dear  friends, 

“Your  affectionate  friend, 

“ C.  F.  Swartz.” 

Such  sentiments  are  the  characteristics  of  a 
mind  maturing  for  heaven  ! 

Among  the  various  trials  and  difficulties  of 
Mr.  Swartz  and  his  brethren,  “ it  was  their 
great  and  mutual  consolation,”  to  use  the  words 
of  the  Danish  missionaries  when  writing  on 
this  subject,  “ that  they  were  as  of  one  heart 
and  one  soul,  assisting  one  another  in  their 
work,  giving  and  receiving  advice  one  from 
another,  mutually  sharing  in  sorrows  and  joys, 
receiving  and  giving  thanks  for  one  another’s 
gifts,  and  praying  for  one  another : often  deep- 
ly wounded,  sometimes  by  the  inefficacy  of  their 
well-meant  endeavors,  and  at  other  times  by 
sad  disappointments  respecting  individuals — 
however,  they  are  comforted  again,  and  com- 
fort one  another.” 

Is  it  a subject  of  wonder  that  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church  should  prosper  such  men  ? When 
was  it  that  the  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily 
such  as  should  be  saved?  Was  it  not  when  the 
primitive  preachers  of  the  word  exhibited  the 
admirable  pattern  of  disinterestedness  and  con- 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


71 


cord,  the  spirit  of  which  these  brethren  so  deep- 
ly imbibed  ? When  all  that  believed  were  toge- 
ther and  had  all  things  common,  and  sold  their 
possessions  and  goods,  and  parted  them  to  all 
men  as  every  man  had  need ; and,  continuing 
daily  with  one  accord  in  the  temple,  and  break- 
ing bread  from  house  to  house,  did  eat  their 
meat  with  gladness  and  singleness  of  heart, 
praising  God,  and  having  favor  with  all  the 
people. 

But  the  time  was  now  come  when  this  vene- 
rable man  was  to  exchange  the  society  of  saints 
on  earth  for  that  of  the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect. 

The  following  affecting  narrative  of  the  clos- 
ing scene  of  his  life  was  drawn  up  by  his  pupil 
and  assistant,  the  Rev.  John  Casper  Kolhoff, 
and  is  dated  Tanjore,  Dec.  31,  1799. 

From  the  beginning  of  January  to  the  middle 
of  October,  1797,  Mr.  Swartz  pursued  his  labors 
in  his  ministerial  office,  and  in  his  studies,  with 
great  fervor,  under  all  the  disadvantages  of  his 
advanced  age.  He  preached  every  Sabbath  in 
the  English  and  Tamul  languages  by  turns,  and 
on  Wednesdays  he  preached  a lecture  in  the 
Portuguese  language,  for  the  space  of  several 
weeks,  and  afterward  in  the  German  language 
to  the  privates  who  had  been  made  prisoners  on 
the  island  of  Ceylon,  and  had  been  incorporated 


72 


LIFE  OF 


in  his  Majesty’s  51st  regiment,  stationed  in  this 
place.  He  made  likewise  a journey  to  Trichi- 
nopoly,  and  several  times  visited  Yellam,  (a 
town  six  miles  from  Tanjore,)  in  order  to  preach 
the  word  of  God  to  some  companies  of  the  51st 
regiment,  stationed  at  that  place,  and  to  invite 
the  heathen  to  accept  the  blessings  of  the 
Gospel. 

During  the  course  of  the  week  he  explained 
the  New  Testament,  in  his  usual  order,  at  morn- 
ing and  evening  prayers,  which  were  begun  and 
concluded  by  singing  some  verses  of  a hymn  ; 
and  he  dedicated  an  hour  every  day  for  instruct- 
ing the  Malabar  school-children  in  the  doctrines 
of  Christianity.  He  was  very  solicitous  for  their 
improvement  in  knowledge  and  piety,  and  par- 
ticularly for  those  whom  he  had  chosen  and 
was  training  up  for  the  service  of  the  church ; 
for  whose  benefit  he  wrote,  during  the  latter 
part  of  his  life,  an  explanation  of  the  principal 
doctrines  of  Christianity,  an  abridgment  of  Bi- 
shop Newton’s  Exposition  of  the  Revelation, 
and  some  other  books. 

Though  his  strength  and  vigor  were  greatly 
impaired,  yet  his  love  to  his  flock  constrained 
him  to  deny  himself  a great  deal  of  that  ease 
and  repose  which  his  great  age  required,  and  to 
exert  all  his  remaining  strength  for  their  im- 
provement in  true  religion.  He  took  a particular 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


73 


delight  in  visiting  the  members  of  his  congre- 
gation, with  whom  he  conversed  freely  upon 
the  subjects  relating  to  their  eternal  interests. 
He  told  them  plainly  whatever  was  blamable  in 
their  conduct,  and  animated  them,  by  every 
powerful  argument,  to  walk  worthy  of  their 
Christian  profession.  It  was  a most  pleasing 
sight  to  see  the  little  children  flock  to  him  with 
such  joy  as  children  feel  on  meeting  their  be- 
loved parent  after  some  absence,  and  to  observe 
his  engaging  and  delightful  method  to  lead 
them  to  the  knowledge  of  God  and  of  their 
duty. 

He  heard  almost  every  day  the  accounts  de- 
livered by  the  catechists,  of  their  conversation 
with  Christians,  papists  and  heathens,  and  the 
effects  produced  by  it ; and  embraced  every  op- 
portunity of  giving  them  directions  for  a wise 
and  faithful  discharge  of  their  office.  His 
strength  was  visibly  on  the  decline  during  the 
last  year  of  his  life ; and  he  frequently  spoke 
of  his  departure,  to  which  he  looked  forward 
with  delight. 

The  commencement  of  his  illness,  which 
happened  on  the  7th  of  October,  1797,  consist- 
ed only  of  a cold  and  hoarseness  occasioned  by 
a check  of  perspiration.  Dr.  Kennedy,  who  was 
a particular  friend  of  Mr.  Swartz,  gave  him  an 
emetic ; but  he  received  no  benefit  from  it,  for, 


74 


LIFE  OF 


after  taking  it,  he  was  afflicted  with  vomiting 
four  or  five  times  every  day,  so  as  to  be  almost 
suffocated  by  it,  and  which  lasted  till  the  27th 
of  November  following.  It  was  very  afflicting 
to  see  the  sufferings  of  our  venerable  father, 
and  every  remedy  rendered  fruitless  which  was 
tried  by  that  humane  and  excellent  man,  the 
late  Dr.  Stuart,  who  acted  for  Dr.  Kennedy 
during  his  absence,  and  who  was  very  atten- 
tive to  Mr.  Swartz  during  his  illness.  My  afflic- 
tion would  have  proved  insupportable,  if  a mer- 
ciful God  had  not  strengthened  and  comforted 
me,  which  he  did  especially  through  the  unex- 
pected arrival  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jeenicke,  on  the 
4th  of  November,  1797. 

Under  all  his  severe  sufferings  he  never  ut- 
tered a single  expression  of  impatience — his 
mind  was  always  calm  and  serene.  Once,  when 
he  suffered  very  severely,  he  said,  “ If  it  be  the 
will  of  the  Lord  to  take  me  to  himself,  his  will 
be  done.  May  his  name  be  praised  !” 

Although  his  strength  was  quite  exhausted, 
and  his  body  extremely  emaciated  through  the 
frequent  vomitings,  yet,  under  all  this  calamity, 
he  desired  that  the  school-children,  and  others 
who  usually  attended  the  evening  prayers, 
should  assemble  in  his  parlor,  where,  after  sing- 
ing, he  expounded  a portion  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures in  a very  affecting  manner  and  concluded 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


75 


it  with  his  fervent  and  importunate  prayers.  It 
was  always  his  custom  to  hear  the  English 
school-children  read  to  him  a few  chapters  out 
of  the  Bible  after  evening  prayer,  and  to  hear 
them  sing  some  of  Dr.  Watts’s  hymns.  During 
his  illness  he  seemed  particularly  pleased  with 
that  excellent  hymn  which  begins  with  the  fol- 
lowing words : — 

“ Far  from  my  thoughts,  vain  world,  begone, 

“ Let  my  religious  hours  alone  : 

“ Fain  would  mine  eyes  my  Savior  see ; 

“ I wait  a visit,  Lord,  from  thee !” 

He  called  it  his  beloved  song,  and  desired  the 
children  to  sing  it  frequently  to  him. 

He  earnestly  exhorted  and  entreated  the  hea- 
thens, who  visited  him  in  his  illness,  to  forsake 
their  idolatry,  and  to  consider  betimes  the  things 
which  belong  to  their  peace.  When  one  of  them 
began  relating  what  wonderful  things  occurred 
in  the  Town,  our  venerable  father  answered, 
“ The  most  wonderful  thing  is,  that,  after  hear- 
ing so  often  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and 
being  convinced  of  the  truth  of  it,  you  are,  not- 
withstanding, backward  to  embrace  and  obey 
it.”  In  conversing  with  another  heathen  of  con- 
sequence, he  expressed  his  great  regret  at  leav- 
ing him  in  his  idolatry,  when  he  was  entering 


76 


LIFE  OF 


into  eternity  ; and  added  the  following  words  : 
“ I have  often  exhorted  and  warned  you,  but 
you  have  hitherto  disregarded  it : you  esteem 
and  honor  the  creature  more  than  the  Creator.” 

On  the  23d  of  November  he  was  visited  by 
Serfogee,  the  present  Rajah,  then  presumptive 
heir  of  the  kingdom  of  Tanjore,  and  to  whom 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Swartz  was  appointed  guardian 
by  the  late  Tulja  Maha  Rajah.  On  being  in- 
formed that  Serfogee  Rajah  wished  to  see  him, 
he  let  him  know  that  he  should  come  immedi- 
ately, as  he  doubted  whether  he  should  survive 
till  the  next  day.  On  his  arrival  he  received 
him  very  affectionately,  and  then  delivered  to 
him  his  dying  charge,  by  which,  though  pro- 
nounced in  broken  language,  the  rajah  seemed 
to  be  deeply  affected.  The  tenor  of  the  speech 
was  as  follows : 

“After  God  has  called  me  hence,  I request 
you  will  be  careful  not  to  indulge  a fondness 
for  pomp  and  grandeur.  You  are  convinced 
that  my  endeavors  to  serve  you  have  been  dis- 
interested ; what  I now  request  of  you  is,  that 
you  would  be  kind  to  the  Christians  : — if  they 
behave  ill,  let  them  be  punished;  but  if  they 
do  well,  show  yourself  to  them  as  their  father 
and  protector. 

“ As  the  due  administration  of  justice  is  in- 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


77 


dispensable  necessary  for  the  prosperity  and 
happiness  of  every  state,  I request  you  will  es- 
tablish regular  courts,  and  be  careful  that  im 
partial  justice  be  administered.  I heartily  wish 
you  would  renounce  your  idolatry,  and  serve 
and  honor  the  only  true  God.  May  he  be  mer- 
ciful and  enable  you  to  do  it !” 

Our  venerable  father  then  inquired  whether 
he  sometimes  perused  the  Bible  ; and  concluded 
with  very  affecting  exhortations  to  be  mindful 
of  the  concerns  of  his  immortal  soul. 

The  resident,  Mr.  Macleod,  who  had  been  on 
a visit  to  Trichinopoly  for  some  weeks,  hear- 
ing, on  his  arrival,  the  ill  state  of  Mr.  Swartz’s 
health,  kindly  sent  for  Dr.  Street  from  Trichi- 
nopoly. The  doctor  arrived  here  on  the  first  of 
December ; and,  after  consulting  with  Dr.  Stu- 
art, he  recommended  the  tincture  of  steel  to  be 
taken  with  an  infusion  of  bark,  which,  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  put  a stop  to  the  vomiting 
with  which  he  had  been  afflicted  since  the  17th 
of  October. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  very  early  in  the 
morning,  he  sent  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jeenicke  and 
myself,  when  he  put  up  a long  and  affecting 
prayer.  To  hear  this  eminent  servant  of  Christ, 
who  had  faithfully  served  his  Redeemer  very 
nearly  half  a century,  disclaiming  all  merit  of 


78 


LIFE  OF 


his  own,  humbling  himself  before  the  footstool 
of  the  Divine  Majesty  as  the  chief  of  sinners, 
and  grounding  all  his  hopes  of  mercy  and  sal- 
vation on  the  unmerited  grace  of  God,  and  the 
meritorious  sacrifice  of  his  beloved  Savior,  was 
a great  lesson  of  humility  to  us. 

Our  joy  was  great  on  his  recovery ; but,  alas  ! 
it  was  soon  changed  into  sorrow,  when  we  ob- 
served that  the  severe  attacks  of  his  illness  had 
in  a great  degree  affected  the  powers  of  his 
mind,  which  were  not  entirely  restored  till  his 
last  illness,  a few  days  before  his  departure  out 
of  life,  notwithstanding  all  the  remedies  which 
were  tried.  It  was,  however,  surprising  to  us, 
that  though  his  thoughts  seemed  to  be  incohe- 
rent when  he  spoke  of  worldly  subjects,  yet 
they  were  quite  connected  when  he  prayed  or 
discoursed  about  Divine  things. 

After  his  recovery  he  frequently  wished,  ac- 
cording to  his  old  custom,  that  the  school-chil- 
dren and  Christians  should  assemble  in  his  par- 
lor for  evening  prayer;  with  which  we  com- 
plied, in  order  to  please  him,  though  we  were 
concerned  to  observe  that  these  exertions  were 
too  much  for  his  feeble  frame. 

The  happy  talent  which  he  possessed  of 
making  almost  every  conversation  instructive 
and  edifying,  did  not  forsake  him  even  under  his 
weak  and  depressed  state.  One  morning  when 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


79 


his  friend  Dr.  Kennedy,  after  his  return,  visited 
him,  the  conversation  turning  upon  Dr.  Young’s 
Night  Thoughts,  which  was  one  of  Mr.  Swartz’s 
favorite  books,  he  observed  to  the  Doctor,  that 
those  weighty  truths  contained  in  it  were  not 
intended  that  we  should  abandon  society,  re- 
nounce our  business,  and  retire  into  a corner, 
but  to  convince  us  of  the  emptiness  of  the  ho- 
nors, the  riches,  and  pleasures  of  this  world, 
and  to  engage  us  to  fix  our  hearts  there  where 
true  treasures  are  to  be  found.  He  then  spoke 
with  peculiar  warmth  on  the  folly  of  minding 
the  things  of  this  world  as  our  chief  good,  and 
the  wisdom  and  happiness  of  thinking  on  our 
eternal  concerns. 

It  was  highly  pleasing  to  hear  the  part  which 
he  took  in  his  conversation  with  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Pohle,  who  visited  him  a little  after  his  recove- 
ry, which  generally  turned  on  the  many  bene- 
fits and  consolations  purchased  to  believers 
through  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  transported 
with  joy  when  he  spoke  on  those  subjects ; and 
I hope  I may  with  truth  call  it  a foretaste  of 
that  joy  which  he  is  now  experiencing  in  the 
presence  of  his  Redeemer,  and  in  the  society 
of  the  blessed. 

On  the  2d  of  February  last  year,  our  venera- 
ble father  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Gericke,  Mr.  Holtzberg  and  his  family. 


80 


LIFE  OF 


Little  did  we  think  that  the  performance  of  the 
last  offices  for  him  would  prove  a part  of  the 
duty  of  our  worthy  senior,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke : 
and  I bless  and  praise  God  for  leading  his  faith- 
ful servant  to  us,  at  that  very  time  when  we 
were  most  in  need  of  his  assistance  and  comfort. 

On  the  second  or  third  day  after  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Gericke’s  arrival,  Mr.  Swartz  complained  of  a 
little  pain  in  his  right  foot,  occasioned  by  an 
inflammation ; to  remove  which,  repeated  fo- 
mentations were  applied  ; but  a few  days  after 
we  observed,  to  our  inexpressible  grief,  the  ap- 
proach of  a mortification.  Dr.  Kennedy  tried 
every  remedy  to  remove  it,  and  would  perhaps 
have  effected  the  cure  if  his  frame  had  been 
able  to  support  what  he  suffered.  He  was  an 
example  of  patience  under  all  these  calamities. 
He  did  not  speak  during  the  whole  of  his  illness 
one  single  word  of  impatience. 

The  last  week  of  his  life  he  was  obliged  to 
lie  on  his  cot  the  greatest  part  of  the  day,  and 
as  he  was  of  a robust  constitution,  it  required 
great  labor  and  exertion  to  remove  him  to  a 
chair,  where  he  would  sit  up.  These  exertions 
contributed  to  weaken  him  more  and  more. 

During  his  last  illness  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke 
visited  him  frequently,  and  spent  much  of  his 
time  with  him  in  conversing  on  the  precious 
promises  of  God  through  Christ,  in  singing 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


81 


awakening  hymns,  and  in  offering  his  fervent 
prayers  to  God  to  comfort  and  strengthen  his 
aged  servant  under  his  severe  sufferings,  to  con- 
tinue and  increase  his  Divine  blessing  upon  his 
labors  for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel,  and  to 
bless  all  the  pious  endeavors  of  the  Society,  and 
all  those  institutions  established  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

He  rehearsed,  with  peculiar  emphasis,  (whilst 
we  were  singing,)  particular  parts  of  the  hymns 
expressing  the  believer’s  assurance  of  faith,  and 
of  the  great  love  of  God  in  Christ.  His  fervor 
was  visible  to  every  one  present  whilst  Mr. 
Gericke  was  praying ; and,  by  his  loud  Amen, 
he  showed  his  ardent  desire  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  our  united  petitions. 

A few  days  before  he  entered  into  the  joy  of 
his  Lord,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke  asked  him  whe- 
ther he  had  any  thing  to  say  to  the  Brethren. 
His  answer  was,  “ Tell  them  that  it  is  my  re- 
quest that  they  should  make  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  office  their  chief  care  and  con- 
cern.” 

A day  or  two  before  his  departure,  when  he 
was  visited  by  the  doctor,  he  said,  “ Doctor,  in 
heaven  there  will  be  no  pain.”  “ Very  true,” 
replied  the  doctor ; “ but  we  must  keep  you  here 
as  long  as  we  can.”  He  paused  a few  moments, 
and  then  addressed  the  doctor  with  these  words, 

Swartz.  Q 


82 


LIFE  OF 


“ O ! dear  doctor,  let  us  take  care  that  we  may 
not  be  missing  there.”  These  words  were  deli- 
vered with  such  an  affectionate  tone  of  voice 
that  they  made  a deep  impression  on  the  doc- 
tor, and  on  every  one  present. 

On  Wednesday,  the  13th  of  February,  1798, 
which  closed  the  melancholy  scene,  we  observ- 
ed, with  deep  concern,  the  approach  of  his  dis- 
solution. The  Rev.  Messrs.  Gericke,  Jaenicke, 
Holtzberg,  and  myself,  were  much  with  him  in 
the  morning ; and  in  the  afternoon  we  sung 
several  excellent  hymns,  and  offered  up  our 
prayers  and  praises  to  God,  in  which  he  joined 
us  with  fervor  and  delight.  After  we  had  re- 
tired he  prayed  silently  ; and  at  one  time  he  ut- 
tered the  following  words : “ O Lord,  hitherto 
thou  hast  preserved  me ; hitherto  thou  hast 
brought  me ; and  hast  bestowed  innumerable 
benefits  upon  us.  Do  what  is  pleasing  in  thy 
sight.  I deliver  my  spirit  into  thy  hands  ; cleanse 
and  adorn  it  with  the  righteousness  of  my  Re- 
deemer, and  receive  me  into  the  arms  of  thy 
love  and  mercy.”  About  two  hours  after  we 
had  retired  he  sent  for  me,  and  looking  upon 
me  with  a friendly  countenance,  he  imparted 
his  last  paternal  blessing  in  these  precious 
words  : “ 1 wish  you  many  comforts.”  On  offer- 
ing him  some  drink,  he  wished  to  he  placed  on 
a chair ; but,  as  soon  as  he  was  raised  upon  the 


REV.  C.  F SWARTZ. 


83 


cot  he  bowed  his  head,  and  without  a groan  or 
struggle,  shut  his  eyes  and  died,  between  four 
and  five  in  the  afternoon,  in  the  seventy-second 
year  of  his  age. 

Though  our  minds  were  deeply  afflicted  at 
the  loss  of  our  beloved  father,  yet  the  consider- 
ation of  his  most  edifying  conduct  during  his 
illness,  his  incredible  patience  under  his  severe 
pains,  his  triumphant  death,  and  the  evident 
traces  of  sweetness  and  composure  which  were 
left  on  his  countenance,  prevented  the  vent  of 
our  sorrows  for  the  present,  and  animated  us 
to  praise  God  for  his  great  mercies  bestowed  on 
us  through  his  faithful  servant,  and  to  entreat 
him  to  enable  us  to  follow  his  blessed  example, 
that  our  last  end  might  be  like  his. 

His  remains  were  committed  to  the  earth  on 
the  14th  of  February,  about  five  in  the  after 
noon,  in  the  chapel  out  of  the  fort,  erected  by 
him  near  his  habitation  in  the  garden  given  to 
him  by  the  late  Tulja  Maha  Rajah. 

His  funeral  was  a very  affecting  sight.  It  was 
delayed  a little  above  the  limited  time,  as  Ser- 
fogee  Rajah  wished  once  more  to  have  a look 
at  him.  The  affliction  which  he  suffered  at  the 
loss  of  the  best  of  his  friends  was  very  affect- 
ing. He  shed  a flood  of  tears  over  the  body,  and 
covered  it  with  a gold  cloth.  We  intended  to 
sing  a funeral  hymn  whilst  the  body  was  con 


84 


LIFE  OF 


veyed  to  the  chapel,  but  we  were  prevented 
from  it  by  the  bitter  cries  and  lamentations  of 
the  multitudes  of  poor  who  had  crowded  into 
the  garden,  and  which  pierced  through  our 
souls.  We  were  of  course  obliged  to  defer  it  till 
our  arrival  at  the  chapel.  The  burial  service 
was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke,  in  the 
presence  of  the  Rajah,  the  Resident,  and  most 
of  the  gentlemen  who  resided  in  the  place,  and 
a great  number  of  native  Christians,  full  of  re- 
gret for  the  loss  of  so  excellent  a minister,  one 
of  the  best  of  men,  and  a most  useful  member 
of  society.  O may  a merciful  God  grant  that  all 
those  who  are  appointed  to  preach  the  Gospel 
to  the  heathen  world  may  follow  the  example 
of  this  venerable  servant  of  Christ ! And  may 
he  send  many  such  faithful  laborers  to  answer 
the  pious  intention  and  endeavors  of  the  honor- 
able Society  for  the  enlargement  of  the  king- 
dom of  Christ ! May  he  mercifully  grant  it,  for 
the  sake  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ! Amen  ! 

Mr.  Gericke  gives  the  following  account  of 
the  last  days  of  Mr.  Swartz  : 

“ I returned  to  Tanjore  from  a short  journey, 
on  February  7,  1798.  To  me  it  was  a great  be- 
nefit to  witness  in  our  dying  friend  an  awaken- 
ing example  of  faith,  of  patience,  and  of  hope. 
When  spiritual  and  heavenly  things  were 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


85 


spoken  of ; when  he  prayed,  exhorted,  and  com- 
forted us  ; and  when  he  spoke  of  the  repose  and 
peace  of  mind  which  he  enjoyed  by  the  mercy 
of  God,  through  Christ,  no  failure  in  his  power 
of  recollection  could  be  perceived.  He  often  in- 
troduced texts  of  Scripture,  or  verses  of  a hymn, 
which  were  very  appropriate,  and  was  continu- 
ally engaged  in  conversation  with  those  around 
him.  Until  the  Friday  evening  before  his  de- 
parture, he  often  said  that  he  did  not  consider 
his  end  as  immediately  at  hand,  and  that  it 
would  not  take  place  till  after  much  suffering. 
But  after  that  he  sometimes  said,  I shall  now 
soon  depart  to  my  heavenly  Father.  Being 
asked  whether  he  had  the  hope  that,  after  his 
death,  the  kingdom  of  God  should  extend  in 
this  land,  he  replied,  1 Yes ; but  it  will  be  through 
affliction  and  trouble.’  At  another  time,  when 
he  was  asked  if  he  had  any  thing  to  say  con- 
cerning the  congregation,  he  answered,  £ Assist 
them  to  come  to  heaven.’  He  said,  at  another 
time,  ‘ There  is  in  many  a good  beginning  of 
Christianity,  but  some  one  will  say,  it  is  not  yet 
perfect ; then  let  him  first  examine  himself.’ 
When  a person  remarked,  with  joy,  his  patience 
and  contentment,  he  replied,  ‘ Human  affliction 
is  common,  and  I really  suffer  very  little.’  He 
often  repeated  these  words  : 1 The  faithful  God 
helps  us  out  of  trouble,  and  chastens  us  in  mea- 


86 


LIFE  OF 


sure.’  He  would  say  : ‘ How  would  it  be  if  he 
should  deal  with  us  according  to  our  sins  ? But 
there  will  be  no  affliction  there;  and  for  that 
we  have  to  thank  the  Lord  Jesus.’  To  his  Ma- 
labar helpers,  who  faithfully  attended  him,  he 
was  very  grateful ; and  often  said  to  us,  “ For 
the  poor  people’s  sake,  who  certainly  do  all  they 
can,  you  ought  not  to  sorrow  much,  lest  their 
services  should  be  made  painful.” 

“ On  the  12th  of  February,  1798,  I wished  to 
set  out  on  a journey,  and  Mr.  Swartz  gave  me 
leave,  saying,  “You  will  then  depart  to-day: 
Greet  all  the  brethren,  and  tell  them  always  to 
look  at  the  main  object.  I shall  now  soon  de- 
part to  the  Lord  Jesus.  That  he  has  received 
me,  forgiven  me  my  sins,  and  has  not  entered 
into  judgment  with  me,  but  has  dealt  with  me 
according  to  his  tender  mercy,  is  well  for  me, 
and  I will  praise  him.  He  might  reject  us  for 
our  very  works’  sake,  because  sin  cleaves  to 
them  all.”  He  then  praised  God  for  permitting 
him  to  depart  out  of  the  world  in  the  society  of 
faithful  brethren,  and  that  God  had  so  ordered 
it  that  I had  been  brought  to  visit  him  in  his 
great  weakness,  to  commend  him  to  Jesus,  the 
only  Savior,  as  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life. 
“Now,”  he  added,  “pray  yet  once  again.”  I 
complied  with  his  request. 

“ I was  advised  not  to  leave  him  in  his  weak 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


87 


state.  In  the  evening  I visited  him  again,  when 
he  suffered  much ; but  his  patience  and  con- 
tentment did  not  abate ; not  a complaint  was 
heard ; sighs  only  testified  what  he  endured.  I 
said,  among  other  things,  God  grant  that  we 
may,  in  our  last  conflict,  be  able  to  await  our 
end  in  such  peace  and  in  such  confidence  as,  to 
our  consolation  and  joy,  are  imparted  to  you. 
He  replied,  “May  it  be  so,  abundantly!”  Our 
hearts  were  moved  by  the  affectionate  emphasis 
with  which  he  pronounced  this  wish. 

“ In  the  night  of  the  13t’n  he  had,  during  the 
intervals  of  pain,  a little  sleep  ; and  afterwards 
he  was  attacked  with  lethargy.  We  expected 
that  he  would  thus  slumber  away  his  life  ; but 
at  noon  he  was  lively  again.  We  sung  the 
hymn,  “ Christ  is  my  life,”  &c.  when  he  began 
to  sing  with  us.  He  then  spoke  very  humbly 
of  himself ; he  extolled  his  Redeemer,  and  wish- 
ed to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be  with  Christ.  He 
remarked,  “ Had  it  pleased  him  to  spare  me 
longer,  I should  have  been  glad.  1 should  then 
have  been  able  to  speak  yet  a word  to  the  sick 
and  poor ; but  his  will  be  done  ! May  He,  in 
mercy,  but  receive  me  ! Into  thy  hands  I com- 
mend my  spirit ; thou  hast  redeemed  me,  O 
thou  faithful  God.”  After  this  the  Malabar 
helpers  sung  the  verse  of  a hymn,  he  often 
joining  in  with  them:  he  then  rested  a little; 


88 


LIFE  OF 


after  which  he  desired  to  be  raised  up,  and  then 
expired,  in  the  arms  of  his  faithful  Malabar 
fellow-laborers.” 

We  shall  now  close  our  life  of  Mr.  Swartz 
by  various  testimonies  respecting  his  character 
and  labors. 

1.  The  first  attestation  will  be  that  of  the 

HE-4  THEN  PllINCE  UNDER  WHOSE  AUTHORI- 
TY he  lived— a witness,  of  all  others,  the 
least  to  be  suspected. 

“ I beg  leave,”  says  the  Missionary  Gericke, 
addressing  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 
Knowledge,  “ to  send  a letter  from  Serfogee, 
Malia  Rajah  of  Tanjore,  and  to  recommend  its 
contents  to  the  Society.  No  son  can  have  a 
greater  regard  for  his  father  than  this  Hindoo 
had  for  Mr.  Swartz,  and  still  has  for  his  me- 
mory.” 

This  letter  is  as  follows  : 

“ To  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge : 
‘•'Honorable  Sirs, 

“ I have  requested  of  your  missionaries  to 
write  to  you,  their  superiors  and  friends,  and  to 
apply  to  you,  in  my  name,  for  a monument  of 
marble,  to  be  erected  in  their  church  that  is  in 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


89 


my  capital  and  residency,  to  perpetuate  the  me- 
mory of  the  late  Rev.  Father  Swartz,  and  to 
manifest  the  great  esteem  I have  for  the  cha- 
racter of  that  great  and  good  man,  and  the  gra- 
titude I owe  him,  my  father,  my  friend,  the  pro- 
tector and  guardian  of  my  youth  ; and  now  I 
beg  leave  to  apply  to  you  myself,  and  to  beg 
that,  upon  my  account,  you  will  order  such  a 
monument  for  the  late  Rev.  Missionary  Father 
Swartz -to  be  made,  and  to  be  sent  out  to  me, 
that  it  may  be  fixed  to  the  pillar  that  is  next  to 
the  pulpit  from  which  he  preached.  The  pillars 
of  the  church  are  about  two  cubits  broad. 

“ May  you  ever  be  enabled  to  send  to  this 
country  such  missionaries  as  are  like  the  late 
Rev.  Mr.  Swartz ! 

“ I am  yours,  faithfully  and  truly, 

“ Serfogee  Rajah. 

“ Tanjore,  May  28,  1801.” 

The  Society  concurred  in  opinion  with  its 
East  India  Mission  Committee,  that  the  con- 
tents of  this  letter  from  the  Rajah  of  Tanjore 
bear  strong  testimony  to  the  high  character  of 
Mr.  Swartz ; that  it  would  be  proper  to  comply 
with  the  request  of  his  Highness  ; and  that  steps 
should  be  taken,  without  delay,  by  the  Com- 
mittee, to  have  a suitable  monument  construct- 
ed, and  that  the  same  be  sent  out  to  Tan- 


90 


r,IFE  OF 


jore,  to  be  placed  in  the  Mission  Church  there. 

The  monument  was  accordingly  prepared  by 
Mr.  Flax  man,  and  is  now  erected  in  the  church 
at  Tanjore — a lasting  evidence  of  the  duty  and 
policy  of  bringing  into  action  on  the  native 
mind  the  powerful  influence  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  when  administered  by  holy  men. 

How  blessed  is  the  memory  of  the  just ! In 
several  conversations,  some  time  afterward,  with 
the  senior  of  the  Danish  Mission  at  Tranque- 
bar,  the  Rajah  “ discovered  the  most  tender  and 
filial  remembrance  of  the  late  Mr.  Swartz.”  But 
the  influence  of  his  character  did  not  end  here  : 
it  disposed  the  mind  of  the  Rajah  to  view  his 
survivors  and  their  work  with  partiality.  He 
expressed  much  friendship  for  Messrs.  Gericke 
and  Kolhoff;  and  for  all  the  missionaries  in 
whom  he  discovered  the  same  sentiments  and 
zeal.  He  expressed  his  wish,  and  had  declared, 
on  several  occasions,  that  none  but  such  as 
would  follow  in  the  steps  of  Mr.  Swartz,  and 
were  like  him,  at  least  in  piety,  should  be  sent 
out  to  the  Mission. 

The  impression  made  by  the  character  of  Mr. 
Swartz  on  the  mind  of  the  Rajah  was  not  of  the 
fugitive  kind  ; for,  several  years  after  his  death, 
having  erected  a very  extensive  and  costly 
building,  sixteen  miles  south-east  of  Tanjore, 
for  the  benefit  of  Brahmins  and  travellers,  and 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


91 


having  established  therein  a very  large  institu- 
tion for  the  maintenance  and  education  of  Hin- 
doo children  of  different  castes,  his  tender  re- 
gard for  the  memory  of  Mr.  Swartz  induced 
him  to  found,  in  a neighboring  village,  a charit- 
able establishment  for  the  maintenance  and  edu- 
cation of  fifty  poor  Christian  children.  Thirty 
poor  Christians  also  were  maintained  and  cloth- 
ed by  the  Rajah’s  charitable  institution ; and,  at 
another  institution  near  the  fort  of  Tanjore,  fifty 
poor,  lame,  blind,  and  other  objects  of  charity, 
all  belonging  to  the  Missions,  were  entirely  sup- 
ported by  his  bounteous  hand  ; besides  numbers 
of  other  poor,  of  all  sects  and  persuasions.  He 
also  gave  orders  that  his  Christian  servants,  ci- 
vil and  military,  should  not  be  denied,  by  their 
officers,  liberty  to  attend  divine  service  on  Sun- 
days and  festivals,  and  that  they  should  be  ex- 
cused from  all  other  duty  on  such  occasions. 

2.  The  Court  of  Directors  of  the  East 
India  Company  are  the  next  witnesses  to  the 
exalted  worth  of  Mr.  Swartz. 

In  the  following  extract  of  a general  letter 
from  the  Court  to  the  Government  at  Madras, 
dated  October  29,  1807,  the  Directors  express 
unequivocal  admiration  of  his  character. 

“ By  our  extra  ship,  the  Union,  you  will  re- 
ceive a marble  monument,  which  has  been  ex- 


92 


LIFE  OF 


ecuted  by  Mr.  Bacon,  under  our  directions.  H 
the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Christian  Frederick 
Swartz,  as  the  most  appropriate  testimony  of 
the  deep  sense  we  entertain  of  his  transcendent 
merit,  of  his  unwearied  and  disinterested  labors 
in  the  cause  of  religion  and  piety,  and  the  ex- 
ercise of  the  purest  and  most  exalted  benevo- 
lence ; also  of  his  public  services  at  Tanjore, 
where  the  influence  of  his  name  and  character, 
through  the  unbounded  confidence  and  venera- 
tion which  they  inspired,  was  for  a long  course 
of  years  productive  of  important  benefits  to  the 
Company. 

“ On  no  subject  has  the  Court  of  Directors 
been  more  unanimous  than  in  their  anxious  de- 
sire to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  this  eminent 
person,  and  to  excite  in  others  an  emulation  of 
his  great  example : we  accordingly  direct  that 
the  monument  be  erected  in  some  conspicuous 
situation  near  the  altar,  in  the  church  of  St. 
Mary,  in  Fort  St.  George,  and  that  you  adopt, 
in  conjunction  and  with  the  assistance  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Kerr,  the  senior  chaplain  at  your  pre- 
sidency, any  other  measures  that  your  judg- 
ment shall  suggest  as  likely  to  give  effect  to 
these  our  intentions,  and  to  render  them  im- 
pressive on  the  minds  of  the  public  at  your  set- 
tlement. As  one  of  the  most  efficacious,  we 
would  recommend  that,  on  the  first  Sunday 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


93 


after  the  erection  of  the  monument,  a discourse 
adapted  to  the  occasion  be  delivered  by  the  se- 
nior chaplain.  We  desire,  also,  that  the  native 
inhabitants,  by  whom  Mr.  Swartz  was  so  justly 
revered,  may  be  permitted  and  encouraged  to 
view  the  monument,  after  it  shall  have  been 
erected,  and  that  translations  be  made  of  the  in- 
scription into  the  country  languages,  and  pub- 
lished at  Madras,  and  copies  sent  to  Tanjore 
and  the  other  districts  in  which  Mr.  Swartz  oc- 
casionally resided  and  established  seminaries 
for  religious  instruction. 

“We  were  much  gratified  by  learning  that 
his  Excellency  the  Rajah  of  Tanjore  had  also 
been  desirous  of  erecting  a monument  to  the 
memory  of  Mr.  Swartz  in  the  church  which 
was  built  by  Mr.  Swartz  himself  in  the  fort  of 
that  capital,  and  had  sent  directions  according- 
ly to  this  country  ; in  consequence  of  which,  a 
monument  has  been  executed  by  Mr.  Flaxman. 
We  shall  give  directions  for  its  being  received 
on  board  one  of  our  ships,  free  of  freight ; and 
we  desire  that  you  will  afford  every  facility  to- 
ward its  conveyance  to  Tanjore. 

“ Cf.  G.  Iyeble, 


“ Secretary  to  Government 


94 


LIFE  OF 


Copy  of  ike  Inscription  on  Mr.  Swartz's  Monument. 

isarah  to  tjte  IHetricco 
of  the 

REVEREND  CHRISTIAN  FREDERICK  SWARTZ, 

Whose  life  was  one 
Continued  effort  to  imitate  the  example 
of  his 

BLESSED  MASTER, 

Employed  as  a Protestant  Missionary  from  the 
Government  of  Denmark, 

And  in  the  same  character  by  the  Society  in  England 
For  the  Promotion  of  Christian  Knowledge. 

He,  during  a period  of  fifty  tears, 

“ Went  about  doing  good 
Manifesting,  in  respect  to  himself,  the  most  entire 
abstraction  from  temporal  views, 

But  embracing  every  opportunity  of  promoting  both  the 
temporal  and  eternal  welfare  of  others. 

In  him  religion  appeared  not  with  a gloomy  aspect 
or  forbidding  mien, 

But  with  a graceful  form  and  placid  dignity. 
Among  the  many  fruits  of  his  indefatigable  labors,  was 
the  erection  of  the  church  at  Tanjore  : 

The  savings  from  a small  salary  were,  for  many  years, 
devoted  to  the  pious  work, 

And  the  remainder  of  the  expense  supplied  by  indivi- 
duals, at  his  solicitation. 

The  Christian  Seminaries  at  Ramnadporam,  and 
in  the  Tinnevelly  province,  were  established  by  him. 

Beloved  and  honored  by  Europeans, 

He  was,  if  possible,  held  in  still  deeper  reverence  by  the 


REV.  G.  F.  SWARTZ. 


95 


Natives  of  this  country,  of  every  degree  and  every  sect; 
And  their  unbounded  confidence  in  his  integrity  and  truth 
was  on  many  occasions  rendered  highly  beneficial 
to  the  public  service. 

The  poor  and  the  injured 

Looked  up  to  him  as  an  unfailing  friend  and  advocate  ; 
The  great  and  powerful 

Concurred  in  yielding  him  the  highest  homage  ever  paid 
in  this  quarter  of  the  globe  to  European  virtue. 

The  late  Hyder  Ally  Cawn, 

In  the  midst  of  a bloody  and  vindictive  war  with  the 
Carnatic, 

Sent  orders  to  his  officers  “ to  permit  the  venerable 
father  Swartz  to  pass  unmolested,  and  show  him  re- 
spect and  kindness, 

For  he  is  a Holy  Man,  and  means  no  harm  to  my 
Government.” 

The  late  Tulja,  Rajah  of  Tanjore, 

When  on  his  death-bed,  desired  to  entrust  to  his 
protecting  care 

His  adopted  Son,  Serfogee,  the  present  Rajah, 
With  the  administration  of  all  the  affairs  of  his  Country 
On  a spot  of  ground  granted  to  him  by  the  same  Prince, 
two  miles  east  of  Tanjore, 

He  built  a house  for  his  residence,  and  made  it  an 
orphan  asylum. 

Here  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  the 
Education  and  religious  instruction  of  Children, 
Particularly  those  of  indigent  parents — whom  he  gratui- 
tously maintained  and  instructed  ; 

And  here,  on  the  13th  of  February,  1798, 
Surrounded  by  his  infant  flock,  and  in  the  presence  of 
several  of  his  disconsolate  brethren, 


96 


LIFE  OF 


Entreating  them  to  continue  to  make  Religion  the  first 
object  of  their  care,  and  imploring  with  his  last  breath 
the  Divine  blessing  on  their  labors, 

He  closed  his  truly  Christian  career,  in  the  72d  year  of 
his  age. 

The  East  India  Company, 

Anxious  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  such  transcendent 
worth, 

And  gratefully  sensible  of  the  Public  Benefits  which 
resulted  from  its  influence, 

Caused  this  Monument  to  be  erected,  Ann.  Dom.  1807. 

1 

The  principal  compartment  of  this  monu- 
ment is  occupied  with  an  alto  relievo  represen- 
tation of  Swartz  in  the  closing  scene  of  his  life. 
He  is  surrounded  by  a group  of  his  infant  pu- 
pils, to  whom  he  afforded  an  asylum  in  his 
house,  and  by  several  of  his  fellow-laborers, 
who  attended  him  in  his  last  moments.  One 
of  the  children  is  embracing  his  dying  hand, 
and  one  of  the  missionaries  is  supporting  his 
head ; but  the  eyes  of  Swartz  are  directed,  and 
his  hand  is  raised  toward  the  object  in  the  up- 
per part  of  the  bas  relief,  namely,  the  cross, 
which  is  borne  by  a descending  angel ; imply- 
ing that  the  death  of  Christ,  the  grand  subject 
of  his  ministry,  was  now  the  chief  support  of 
his  soul  while  flesh  and  heart  were  ready  to 
faint  and  fail. 

Over  the  bas  relief  is  the  ark  of  the  covenant, 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


97 


which  was  peculiarly  in  the  charge  of  the 
priests,  and  was  a striking  emblem  of  the  con- 
stant theme  of  his  preaching. 

Under  the  has  relief  are  further  emblems  of 
the  pastoral  office : the  Gospel  trumpet,  with 
the  banners  of  the  cross  attached  to  it,  and  an 
open  Bible,  on  which  is  inscribed  our  Lord’s 
commission  to  his  servants,  “ Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.” 

3.  The  Madras  Government,  jy  the  fol- 
lowing order,  strongly  expressed  its  sense  of 
Mr.  Swartz’s  worth. 

“ Public  Department. 

“ To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kerr, 

Senior  Chaplain  at  Fort  St.  George. 

“ Reverend  Sir, — I am  directed,  by  the 
Right  Honorable  the  Governor  in  Council,  to 
enclose  for  your  information  and  guidance  the 
extract  of  a letter  from  the  Honorable  the  Court 
of  Directors,  and  to  inform  you  of  the  wish  of 
his  Lordship  in  Council,  that  early  measures 
may  be  taken  for  erecting,  in  St.  Mary’s  Church, 
the  monument  which  has  been  transmitted  to 
this  place  by  the  Honorable  Court  as  a tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr. 
Swartz. 

“ His  Lordship  in  Council  directs  me  also  to 

Swartz.  7 


98 


LIFE  OF 


express  his  confidence  that  your  endeavors  wili 
be  exerted  to  give  every  practical  effect  to  the 
farther  suggestions  of  the  Honorable  Court,  with 
regard  to  the  best  means  of  conveying  an  ade- 
quate impression  of  the  exalted  worth  of  that 
revered  character;  and  his  Lordship  will  be 
prepared  to  give  every  facility  to  the  measures 
which  you  may  propose  on  this  subject. 

“ Directions  will  be  given  to  the  Board  of 
Trade  for  holding  the  monument  in  readiness 
to  be  delivered  on  your  application. 

“ I have  the  honor  to  be,  Rev.  Sir, 

“ Your  most  obedient  humble  serv’t, 

“ G.  Buchan, 

“ Chief  Sec.  to  Government. 
n Fort  St.  George,  16th  June,  1807.” 

4.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Kerr,  in  the  sermon  preach- 
ed in  compliance  with  the  above  letter  of  the 
Directors,  may  be  considered  as  speaking  with 
the  full  approbation  of  the  Madras  Govern- 
ment; and  the  high  testimony  borne  to  Mr. 
Swartz  in  the  following  extracts  from  that  dis- 
course, was  an  appeal,  it  must  be  remembered, 
on  the  spot,  to  those  who  were  themselves  wit- 
nesses of  the  truth  of  the  preacher’s  assertions  : 

“ The  man  who  follows  the  injunction  of  his 
God,  £ Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature’ — whose  soul  is  de- 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


99 


voted  to  this  one  object,  who  submits  to  a thou 
sand  privations  in  the  discharge  of  his  high 
calling,  who  devotes  mind  and  body  to  the  eter- 
nal interests  of  the  benighted  nations,  without 
any  worldly  view  whatsoever,  who  is  exposed 
to  numberless  dangers  in  the  course  of  his  jour- 
neyings,  yet  goes  on  rejoicing  to  the  end ; such 
a man  is  surely  deserving  of  our  high  esteem, 
and  has  the  strongest  claim  on  the  benevolent 
feelings  of  all  mankind. 

“ There  is  a grandeur  in  the  self-dedication 
of  a human  being  to  such  an  undertaking, 
which  is  not  to  be  met  with  in  all  the  other 
pursuits  of  life.  Worldly  ambition  has  her  splen- 
did votaries,  seeking  honor  in  the  midst  of  dan- 
ger and  in  the  face  of  death.  In  search  of  the 
wealth  of  this  world,  we  have  millions  of  ex- 
amples of  the  most  hardy  enterprises  under- 
taken, and  body  and  soul  are  daily  sacrificed 
to  this  polluted  and  polluting  object ; but,  in  the 
persevering  effort  to  call  the  heathen  from  their 
debasing  superstitions  to  the  worship  of  the  true 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ  ; in  the  constant 
endeavor  to  extend  the  blessings  of  civilization, 
which  always  accompany  the  true  religion,  to 
a people  whom  the  darkest  clouds  of  ignorance 
and  its  thousands  of  ills  overshadow  ; to  labor 
to  emancipate  the  souls  of  men  from  the  thral- 
dom of  satanic  influence,  from  priestcraft,  from 


100 


LIFE  OF 


profanation,  and  idle  or  vicious  ceremonies  : ce 
renronies  calculated  to  impose  on  the  under- 
standing, and  destroy  the  finest  feelings  of  the 
human  heart : to  be  employed,  I say,  in  such 
pursuits,  to  follow  them  up  with  honest  zeal, 
with  firm  faith  in  the  Divine  assistance,  and 
the  power  of  the  Gospel,  must  be  acknowledged, 
whether  we  consider  the  motive  which  stimu- 
lates, or  the  object  in  view,  to  be  the  most  glo- 
rious, the  most  honorable,  of  all  undertakings. 

“ When,  therefore,  we  reflect,  that  such  was 
the  office  of  the  man  whose  virtues  we  are  this 
day  called  to  celebrate  ; when  we  know  that  he 
was  peculiarly  distinguished  in  the  course  of 
this  high  office  ; that,  by  the  mere  effect  of  Chris- 
tian virtue  he  attracted  the  love  and  secured 
the  confidence,  not  only  of  the  flock  which  he 
had  called  from  pagan  darkness  into  the  bosom 
of  Christ’s  church,  and  illumined  with  the 
blessed  light  of  the  Gospel,  but  that  he  was  re- 
verenced far  and  near  by  all  castes  and  descrip- 
tions of  people  ; that  he  was  even  respected  by 
the  enemies  of  our  nation,  and,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a bloody  war,  was  permitted  to 
preach  the  doctrines  of  peace  on  the  very  bat- 
tlements of  our  enemy;  when  we  reflect  on 
these  things,  what  reverence  does  it  inspire  for 
the  man  ! What  a signal  testimony  does  it  af- 
ford of  the  power  of  Gospel  truth,  strikingly 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


101 


evidenced  in  the  faithful  practice  of  a Gospel 
life  ! And  what  a convincing  proof  does  it  pre- 
sent of  the  great  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the 
labors  of  missionaries,  well  directed  and  honest- 
ly and  zealously  prosecuted ! 

“ It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  extraor- 
dinary humility  of  this  most  excellent  man, 
ever  averse  to  display  of  every  kind,  has  been 
the  virtuous  cause  why  we  are  not  in  posses- 
• sion  of  sufficient  materials  to  give  a succinct 
account  of  the  various  and  important  labors  in 
which  he  was  continually  engaged. 

“ Indeed,  his  mind  was  so  impressed  with 
the  just  sense  of  the  value  of  his  time,  and  the 
necessity  for  unceasing  application  in  his  call- 
ing, that  he  had  little  leisure  for  even  giving 
those  details  which  were  expected  from  him  by 
the  Societies  under  whose  direction  he  had  en- 
tered upon  his  missionary  labors,  and  they 
were  often  indebted  to  others  for  information 
regarding  the  important  services  of  their  faith- 
ful Swartz. 

“ He  began  his  missionary  career  in  the  lat- 
ter end  of  the  year  of  our  Lord  1750  ; when,  by 
unceasing  application,  in  the  course  of  a few 
months,  he  was  enabled  to  preach  his  first  Ta- 
mul  or  Malabar  sermon.  His  text  on  that  occa- 
sion was  taken  from  the  11th  chapter  of  St. 
Matthew : — £ Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor 


102 


LIFE  OF 


ancl  are  heavy  laden,  and  I will  give  you  rest. 
Take  my  yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me ; for 
I am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart : and  ye  shall 
find  rest  unto  your  souls.  For  my  yoke  is  easy, 
and  my  burden  is  light.’  Thus  he  first  an- 
nounced the  spirit  of  the  Gospel  he  was  about 
to  preach  to  the  heathens,  and  continued  to  his 
last  hour,  through  nearly  half  a century,  to 
evince  the  truth  of  his  Divine  text  both  in  word 
and  life. 

“ He  had  not  long  entered  upon  his  heaven- 
appointed  commission  when  he  had  the  hap- 
piness to  perceive  that  his  labor  was  not  in  vain 
in  the  Lord.  He  called  many  from  the  evil  of 
their  way.  He  excited  a spirit  of  inquiry  even 
among  the  most  obstinate  of  the  Brahmins  ; and 
attached  many  of  them  to  him  by  the  endear- 
ing manner  in  which  he  addressed  them,  while 
he  silenced  their  arguments  by  the  powerful 
force  of  his  reason,  and  the  simple  rational  ex- 
planation of  the  Christian  system. 

“ In  the  course  of  a few  years  he  collected  a 
numerous  congregation  about  him,  consisting 
of  every  caste  and  description  of  people  in  this 
country,  who  received  the  truths  of  the  Gospel 
with  confidence  from  his  lips. 

“ He  also  established  several  schools,  by 
which  both  old  and  young  were  enabled  to 
read  the  Sacred  Writings ; and  the  principles 


REV.  e.  F.  SWARTZ. 


103 


of  the  Gospel  live  to  this  day  in  the  hearts  of 
many  in  the  neighborhood  where  he  resided, 
who  still  bless  the  memory  of  their  beloved 
vastor,  Father  Swartz. 

“ But  he  did  not  confine  his  benevolence  to 
spiritual  instruction.  He  assisted  the  poor  and 
the  industrious,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  out 
of  his  narrow  means  of  subsistence,  and  always 
directed  the  hand  of  charity  to  relieve,  when 
relief  was  not  in  his  own  power. 

“ Such  a course  of  life,  zealously  pursued  for 
a long  series  of  years,  and  accompanied  with 
that  sweetly  social  disposition  for  which  he  was 
remarkable,  gained  him  many  friends  and  thou- 
sands of  admirers.  The  blessing  of  the  father- 
less and  widow  came  upon  him,  and  his  hope 
was  gladness.  He  rejoiced  evermore  in  witness- 
ing the  divine  effects  of  his  honest  endeavors  ; 
and  if  he  did  not  make  converts  of  all  with 
whom  he  associated,  he  seldom  failed  to  make 
friends  of  those  with  whom  he  happened  to 
communicate.  Not  that  he  ever  compromised  a 
paramount  duty  from  any  false  politeness,  or 
deference  to  superior  station ; for  he  decidedly 
and  openly  declared  the  condemnation  of  all 
who  boldly  and  openly  set  Gospel  rules  at  de- 
fiance, as  often  as  an  opportunity  offered  for  the 
purpose.  His  reproof,  however,  was  tempered 
with  so  much  good  nature : the  desire  of  doing 


LIFE  OF 


104 

good  to  the  offenders  was  so  obviously  his  in- 
tention ; that  he  seldom  provoked  the  smallest 
ill-will  by  the  strong  but  fatherly  remonstrances 
which  irreligious  conversation  and  conduct  fre- 
quently drew  from  him.  Indeed,  he  seemed  pe- 
culiarly gifted  by  Divine  Providence  with  a 
happy  manner,  which  enabled  him  to  turn  al- 
most every  occurrence,  whether  great  or  trivial, 
to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God. 

“ Completely  devoted  to  the  important  busi- 
ness of  his  calling,  his  mind  never  departed  far 
from  this  object.  Sensible  that  no  trifling  efforts 
could  be  productive  of  any  good  purpose  in  the 
missionary  cause  in  any  country,  but  most  par- 
ticularly in  India,  he  determined  that  nothing 
should  draw  him  aside,  either  to  the  right  hand 
or  to  the  left.  With  this  view  he  early  resolved 
on  a life  of  celibacy,  and  uniformly  recommend- 
ed the  same  to  his  younger  brother-laborers  in 
the  vineyard,  in  order  that  they  might  give  a 
more  undivided  attention  to  their  missionary 
work.  With  the  same  view,  he  accustomed 
himself  to  the  most  frugal  and  temperate  sys- 
tem of  diet  :*  and,  except  when  objects  of  cha- 


° For  many  years  of  his  life  it  was  his  custom  to  give  teu 
pagodas  at  the  beginning  of  each  month  to  his  servant,  in  order 
to  provide  for  the  expenses  of  his  table,  and  he  gave  himself  no 
trouble  about  the  manner  in  which  it  was  supplied. 


REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 


105 


nty  reminded  him  of  his  poverty,  he  considered 
the  wealth  of  the  world  but  as  the  dust  of  the 
earth.” 

Dr.  Kerr  then  refers  to  Mr.  Swartz’s  mission 
to  Hyder,  the  death-bed  scene  of  the  old  rajah 
of  Tanjore,  his  influence  on  the  natives  in  re- 
lieving the  fort  of  Tanjore  from  famine,  and  to 
other  evidences  of  his  character  which  are  re- 
corded in  the  preceding  account  of  him.  He  adds : 

“ Amidst  such  great  public  undertakings,  and 
the  high  degree  of  consideration  attached  by  all 
ranks  of  people  in  this  country  to  Mr.  Swartz’s 
character,  every  road  to  the  gratification  of  am 
bition  and  avarice  was  completely  open  before 
him.  Courted  by  the  prince  of  the  country  in 
which  he  resided,  reverenced  almost  to  adora- 
tion by  the  people  at  large,  confidentially  em- 
ployed by  the  English  government  in  objects  of 
the  first  political  importance,  to  his  great  honor 
it  must  be  recorded,  that  he  continued  to  value 
these  things  only  as  they  appeared  likely  to 
prove  subservient  to  his  missionary  work,  as 
they  made  friends  to  assist  him  in  the  building 
of  his  churches,  or  the  establishment  of  his 
schools  over  the  country.  With  the  single  eye 
of  the  Gospel  he  looked  only  to  the  diffusion  of 
Divine  truth,  and  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation 
through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  The  same  prin- 
ciples which  raised  him  in  the  public  estimation, 
he  continued  to  cherish  in  every  stage  of  his 


106 


LIFE  OF  SWARTZ. 


elevation.  Uncontaminated  by  the  venality  and 
corruption  which,  from  various  quarters,  it  is 
well  known,  assailed  his  virtue,  he  continued 
his  missionary  life,  carrying  his  cross,  following 
the  steps  of  his  Divine  Master  to  the  end  of  his 
earthly  being. 

“ I know  that  there  have  not  been  wanting 
enemies  who,  both  while  he  was  living  and 
after  his  decease,  have  given  currency  to  a dif- 
ferent tale,  who  have  flippantly  accused  him  of 
meddling  in  political  matters  inconsistent  with 
his  ministerial  labors,  and  who  insinuated  other 
suspicions  injurious  to  his  fame.  But  such  men 
would  have  reflected  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
himself,  had  he  lived  in  this  country  at  the 
same  period  and  publicly  declared  his  abhor- 
rence, as  Mr.  Swartz  always  did,  of  the  base 
intrigues,  the  fraudulent  loans,  the  cruel  oppres- 
sions, which,  during  the  early  part  of  the  good 
man’s  life,  and  for  many  years  after,  made  a 
land  of  misery,  desolation,  and  slavery,  of  one  of 
the  most  fertile  provinces  of  this  part  of  India. 

“ Some  of  the  Honorable  Company’s  servants 
long  since  departed  out  of  life,  and  others  who 
are  now  virtuous  and  amiable  members  of  the 
different  communities  in  which  they  live,  have 
blessed  the  day  when  they  became  acquainted 
with  this  venerable  man.” 


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